Sir Alex Ferguson has become ambassador for Playlist for Life, a dementia charity using personalised music to improve the lives of people with memory conditions.
The former Manchester United and Aberdeen manager visited the charity’s Glasgow office this week to learn how music therapy supports people living with dementia. He also shared his own playlist with the team, featuring songs including Moon River, It’s All In the Game and Danny Boy.
Ferguson has supported Playlist for Life for several years through fundraising and awareness efforts, and has now taken on the role of official ambassador.
“Dementia is a big challenge for all of us but we all know someone close to us who has dementia,” said Sir Alex. “It’s not always easy to talk about but music is a fantastic thing that can help.
“I’m beyond proud to be an ambassador for Playlist for Life. Visiting the team, I can see they are leading the way in using music to transform the lives of people affected by dementia.”
Playlist for Life creates personal playlists to help people reconnect with memories and reduce distress. The approach is grounded in research showing that musical memory often endures even as other cognitive functions decline.
The charity has trained 10,000 professionals to embed personal playlists in dementia care. One NHS Fife team reported an 80 per cent reduction in the use of medication to manage behavioural symptoms after introducing the approach.
“Music is a fantastic thing, I’ve made a start on the playlist of my life, I recommend everyone does the same and supports this fantastic charity,” Ferguson added.
Michael Timmons, executive director of Playlist for Life, said: “It’s a privilege to have Sir Alex Ferguson pulling on the Playlist for Life jersey as an official ambassador, following many years of quiet but generous support.”
The charity works with families, hospitals and care homes to help people living with dementia reconnect through music. Songs from earlier life stages are often the most effective for people who find verbal communication difficult.