Music as medicine: Playlist for Life celebrates double win at ScottishPower Foundation Awards

Transforming dementia care with music, the Glasgow-based charity claimed the top prize in the Community Engagement category and was runner-up for the Innovation Award, securing £15,000 of additional funding.

Glasgow-based dementia charity, Playlist for Life hit all the right notes at the ScottishPower Foundation Awards 2025, winning the Community Engagement Award and taking the runner-up spot in the Innovation Award, a double honour securing £15,000 to expand its life-changing work.

Founded in 2013, by writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson, on the belief that personally meaningful music can be a lifeline for people living with dementia, Playlist for Life has supported people across the country living with dementia to connect with family, friends and carers.

Through a network of 2,500 Help Point partners, Playlist for Life has supported more than 60,000 families, with remarkable results, including an 80% reduction in medication for some patients in Fife following the introduction of personalised playlists. Its gold-standard engagement brings together communities, professionals and public figures to show that music is both joyful and lifesaving.

In 2024 alone, Playlist for Life spread its positive message far and wide with campaigns including National Playlist Day which reached over 5 million people across the UK. The project encouraged people to share their personal playlists as something that can bring joy today but can also be a potential lifeline for the future. Backed by football legend Sir Alex Ferguson, who shared his own playlist, the campaign launched with a celebration at Kelvingrove Art Gallery, where Scottish band The Bluebells performed their iconic hit ‘Young at Heart’ alongside a local dementia choir in a moment that perfectly captured the charity’s mission.

The charity also came runner-up in the ScottishPower Foundation Innovation Award, recognising its pioneering work embedding personalised music into NHS, health and social care practice which is an approach now signposted in the Scottish Government’s National Dementia Strategy.

The combined £15,000 prize money for the recognition across the two categories will be invested in Playlist for Life’s Melody Across Miles programme, reaching families from underserved and under-represented communities, and will also support the development of their innovative online playlist maker to make it easier for people to create their own personalised soundtracks.

Michael Timmons, Executive Director at Playlist for Life, said, “It’s fantastic to be recognised by the ScottishPower Foundation for our work supporting communities across Scotland and the UK with free resources, advice and support. This award is shared with everyone living with dementia, their families, carers and all who’ve helped Playlist for Life bring the soundtrack back into people’s lives.

“The additional funding will help us reach even more people nationwide. Our heartfelt thanks to the ScottishPower Foundation for championing the power of playlists.”

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said, “At the ScottishPower Foundation, we believe in the power of people to change lives – and this year’s Award winners have done just that. Their passion, resilience and creativity are nothing short of inspiring.

“Every winner is a true champion, tackling vital challenges. We’re incredibly proud to support these changemakers who are lighting up communities, breaking down barriers and building a brighter future for all. It’s a privilege to stand beside them and help their impact grow.”

Further details on the winners and runners-up are available on the ScottishPower Foundation website: scottishpowerfoundation.com.