Local Hero - Jeni Melia

Each month in The Bedford Clanger, we sponsor a column entitled 'Local Hero' where we celebrate a member of the community, nominated by a member of the community who believes this special person deserves a treat.

Our Local Hero for February is the very deserving and equally as lovely Jeni Melia; musician, music therapist and director of the fantastic Music 4 Memory in Bedford, nominated by Sarah Russell. Established in 2008, Music 4 Memory is a twice-weekly group which brings together people with dementia and their carers, aiming to offer them an opportunity to sing, dance and laugh together in a supported, welcoming and stimulating environment.

Jeni has lead the group from its beginnings, and she firmly believes that 'Music 4 Memory can achieve anything'. This vision and belief clearly inspires the whole group, who have gone on to achieve wonderful things such as participating in the hugely successful 'Hear and Now' project alongside youth choir Fusion, and the Philharmonic Orchestra. This pioneering inter-generational project was created to bring together these diverse groups from the same community in order to foster mutual understanding through a common love of music. Much of the inspiration for the compositions came from the reminiscences and memories of the Music 4 Memory group themselves – making it a very powerful, personal and extremely moving piece of music.

Jeni is an experienced musician, teacher and qualified music therapist whose dedication to Music 4 Memory has ensured that each week, up to 60 people with dementia and their carers are united, inspired participants in something meaningful, and thoroughly enjoyable.  As one member of the group says 'Music 4 Memory reminds me of who I am and what I can do.'

We are especially pleased that Jeni is our local hero this month, as Kiosk co-owner Nansi Rose takes her own mum along to Music 4 Mermory, and has seen first hand how much the participants all benefit from Jeni's enthusiasm, encouragement and kindness.  'My Mum even sings solos, her most recent performance being of a folk song in Welsh - Jeni makes even the impossible happen and there wasn't a dry eye in the house!'.

We hope that Jeni and her friends are hungry when they come down to the Kiosk for her Local Hero reward – cake stands laden with home-baked cakes, scones and other goodies. Congratulations Jeni!

We are always on the lookout for Local Heroes and would love to hear from you if you have someone in mind who you think deserves a special treat.  All you have to do is send us an email to kioskatthepark@gmail.com or drop a note into The Kiosk with your name and contact details and the name and contact details of the person you would like to nominate.  Write a short paragraph about what makes them a Local Hero and we will do the rest!  The successful nominee will be invited to join us, with you and our friends from The Clanger to enjoy afternoon tea in the park where they will be presented with their Local Hero Certificate.