THE FINAL year of university is usually dedicated to dissertations, final projects and exams, but Biological Sciences student, Rebecca Sultana, managed to set up a whole volunteering project with the Alzheimer’s Society and stage a fantastic concert for attendees.

The concert, which took place at Westbourne Baptist Church last Friday, featured the Bournemouth University Choir who performed for regular attendees of the Alzheimer’s ‘Singing for the Brain’ and ‘Memory Café’ sessions, as well as staff and students from the university.

The concert was a special event, born from a project between SUBU Volunteering in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Society, which Rebecca became project leader of, after volunteering with the society for eight months.

Student volunteers help to welcome those suffering with dementia by involving them with mind stimulating games and singing, which builds on the recognised preserved memory for song and music in the brain.

Rebecca, who was voted ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at an awards ceremony by the university earlier in the year, wanted to do more than the weekly volunteering, and the idea of the concert was born.

As well as the BU Choir, the BU Baking Society provided amazing cakes and refreshments for the audience who sat back and enjoyed the afternoon; particularly regular attendee, Dennis who said it was the best thing he had been to all year!

Rebecca was extremely happy with the result following all her hard work.

“The concert was a great success,” she said.

“As the student project volunteer leader, I wanted to integrate the student community from Bournemouth University with the local community. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the concert and I hope the student project continues to bring more events to the charity.”

Alys Penfold