Christmas charity song springs from spontaneous moment of connection – A song sung by a dementia choir is hitting a chord around the world

In England at present, most of the top 40 singles are long treasured Christmas bops, yet this Christmas there’s a new contender in town. Called, “Brighter Than The Night”, the charity single has been a collaborative effort between Our Dementia Choir and another unlikely ally, a business duo, and their team, that specialises in none other than hot potato “spuds” served with all the fixings anyone could ever imagine. It is in how this song came about, from first meeting, to full-‘village’ recording affair, that has been striking a chord with those with dementia, their loved-one carers and thousands of aged care personnel the world over.

Spud Bros

Jacob and Harley Nelson run a business selling jacket potatoes from a repurposed vintage tram carriage in Lancashire, U.K.

They’ve amassed a considerable following across multiple social media channels with their trademark wit, passion for potato and their daily humour and connection to customers.

An interaction at their spud tram would set in motion a project that has started to impact thousands.

Allies can be anywhere

Speaking to the BBC, Jacob recalls the chance meeting that started the ball rolling for the charity song that has already touched so many.

One day as the weather had turned after summer, a couple had come up to their “tater tram” while they were filming the illustrious last potato of the day. Close to closing up shop, both Harleys and team remained open, so they could chat and engage with the couple.

Jacob remembers, “An old couple came over and, as they were walking across, we noticed the lady was a bit timid, so I just asked if she was OK and her partner said she’d just fallen over.”

“”He said ‘She’s got Alzheimer’s’ and it was a bit personal to us because our grandma also suffers with Alzheimer’s.”

Personal impacts

Meeting and interacting with the senior couple impacted the Nelson brothers deeply. Unbeknown to the couple that had approached them, they have a grandmother who is living with dementia. What followed was a charming interaction, where the Nelson brothers opened first with the kindness of free jacket potatoes to the two seniors that looked tremendously cold, and continued into the spontaneous connection of strangers stepping into a moment to support. 

Through their affection and simply doing life with their grandmother they were able to bring an understanding that has an important place in education the world over, they know, “[dementia] doesn’t just affect the person who’s got it, it affects everybody around.”

The filmed conversation between the “tater tram” crew and the senior couple went viral on the internet. With over 20 million views, for advocates and those with dementia and caring for them, there has been an ecnouraging sense that the ‘village’ of community, of those that care, may be greater than realised.

This too struck the Nelson brothers, with Jacob sharing, “the support from the community was amazing.”

The plot thickens

A few months down the track, a well-known British actress Vicky McClure followed the “Spud Bros” on their social media account. They wondered between themselves if she was a fan, they asked her just that, “so we messaged her and she said ‘absolutely I’m a fan’ and we’re a fan of her”.

And so began a relationship that would start a project that placed the ability of those with dementia, and their carers, front and center to be a part of creating something, simply put, magical at Christmastime.

Jacob shares, “we knew she works with Our Dementia Choir so we were ‘like let’s do something, bring our teams in, let’s create something really special’”.

“Vicky’s team and our team just came together and it was amazing.”

Our Dementia Choir

Vicky McClure, is an actress who knew she needed to do something about dementia, she needed to act. Her grandmother, a cherished and vibrant person in her life, had been diagnosed with dementia and McClure had been able to directly care for her.

Working with the BBC, in 2019, McClure formed Our Dementia Choir as a way to investigate issues and the opportunities of hope surrounding dementia care.

McClure continues to share the powerful journey of being a part of Our Dementia Choir, which has continued well past the lifespan of the documentary. She says, “music can uplift people living with dementia, change their mood and bring them joy.”

“This is the reason why I started Our Dementia Choir and why it remains so close to my heart.”

The recording day

As seen in the video-clip of the “Brighter Than The Night”, everyone was involved. As Jacob attested, dementia affects everyone close to those diagnosed, and so everyone was to be involved in the joyous circus that was to be their day of recording. From treasured grandchildren running around, to loved-one carers, it was a celebration of the village of support, and the ability of those with dementia to learn, be active and be able.

The Nelson brothers joke that they were very lucky to have a Spud Bros team member, Huw Roberts who was a real singer among them. Roberts taking the lead collaborates alongside members of the choir, and carers on the single, with the spud siblings as they see it, “in the background, trying to sing”, with Harley specifying, “more kind of shouting.”

While jesting about their own skills, Harley is sincere in recalling what the day meant, “it was an amazing day,” when they were all able to travel to London and record in an official recording studio.

“Music brings everyone together. We fed them potatoes and had a laugh. They were all hilarious. They were cracking out some jokes.”

McClure also shared with the BBC that what was achieved was, “the most beautiful song, so festive, so positive”.

Leaning in

Advocates are praising the brothers for leaning in. In an encouraging move, help and collaboration came from those far outside of aged care or the health services. Experts in potatoes decided to commit resources, time and energy and the result was certainly nourishing.

The project facilitated not only an incredible experience for those with dementia and their loved-ones but showcased how living with dementia can mean pursuing new passions, learning music, and enjoying the meeting of and socialising with new people; Simply being themselves, where they were.

In reacting to the news, many advocates and carers viewing the experience say it highlights the ability of those with dementia, in the routine, in the difficult, that there can be moments of laughter, jesting and experiencing the new with purpose. Alongside a countless amount of hot potatoes and toppings as well.

The Spud Bros share that behind it all, they hope to, “spread dementia awareness and bring people together through music, food and kindness”.

“We’ve seen how music can lift spirits, unlock memories and spark connection”.

Thinking of their grandmother, Jacob and Harley just wanted to, “create something really special” alongside others hoping to do the same, such as McClure and the Our Dementia Choir, to educate through raising awareness, and contribute to research through raising money.

From the reaction around the world, for those with dementia, and those that love them, the song has hit just the right note ahead of Christmas.