The Guardian: It’s sad that Susan Tomes’ offer of playing for patients with dementia ground to a halt through red tape (Letters, 12 January). I can relate a very different experience.

I play in an ensemble of 11 (mature) amateur musicians, some of whom only picked up their first instrument at retirement. As a student exercise to try playing in front of an audience, we first offered our services to a local care home and we have never looked back.

Read the full letter