Award-Winning Dementia Friendly Folk Concert Returns to Broadstairs

Chartwell House by Boutique Care Homes, in partnership with Broadstairs Folk Week, is proud to announce the return of its now-iconic Dementia Friendly Folk concert for its fourth consecutive year. The event takes place on Wednesday 12th August 2026, from 14:00 to 16:00 at the Sarah Thorne Theatre, Fordoun Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2BN.

What started as a first-of-its-kind initiative in 2023 has grown into one of Folk Week’s most loved and anticipated events, bringing together residents, families, and members of the wider community for an afternoon of inclusive music, movement, and genuine connection. Krista Bubble and The Wood Urchins return for another year, bringing their signature style of warm, accessible folk that makes everyone in the room feel part of the dance, regardless of age or ability.

This year’s event carries extra meaning. Dementia Friendly Folk was named Dementia Friendly Community Project of the Year at the Dementia Care Awards 2025, national recognition of the work that Dementia Friendly Folk has come to represent: a belief that culture, community, and creative experiences should be open to everyone, including those living with dementia.

Music sits at the heart of the event. Research has shown that music can release feel-good endorphins, spark conversation, and unlock long-forgotten memories for people living with dementia, often reaching parts of the mind that other forms of communication cannot. Familiar melodies can trigger vivid memory recall, reduce anxiety, and encourage spontaneous movement even in those with more advanced cognitive decline.

Dance adds another dimension, with gentle rhythmic movement known to support physical coordination, lift mood, and create a sense of shared experience that transcends the barriers dementia can put up between a person and the world around them. Dementia Friendly Folk is built on exactly this understanding. Every element of the programme, from the tempo of the tunes to the way the dancing is called, is chosen to make participation feel natural, safe, and joyful.

The afternoon is designed from the ground up to be genuinely inclusive. Gentle Ceilidh movements, careful calling from Krista, and a warm, unhurried atmosphere mean that wheelchair users, those with limited mobility, and people living with dementia can take part fully and comfortably. In previous years, the event has welcomed residents from Chartwell House alongside members of Thanet Dementia Action Alliance, local families, and Folk Week visitors, all sharing the same floor.

Jaye Dry, Admissions Manager at Chartwell House, said: “Reaching our fourth year feels like a real milestone. What began as an idea to make Folk Week accessible to people living with dementia has grown into something that belongs to the whole community. Winning the Dementia Care Awards last year reminded us why we do this, and this August we’re hoping to create even more of those moments that people carry with them long after the music stops.”

Kai Hoffman, Festival Director of Broadstairs Folk Week, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing back our Dementia-Friendly Gentle Ceilidh for a fourth year in partnership with Chartwell House. It’s become one of the festival’s most heartwarming events, celebrating the power of music, movement and community, and ensuring that Folk Week remains an experience that everyone can enjoy.”

Tickets are available now, with limited spaces to preserve the calm, welcoming environment that makes the event so special. Adults £7 | Under 16s £4. To book, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/broadstairsfolkweek/2135167