Nottingham-born actor Vicky McClure has received an honorary degree from the University of Nottingham.
McClure, who learned her craft at the renowned Television Workshop in Nottingham, was made a Doctor of Letters in front of hundreds of students graduating from the university’s School of Sociology and Social Policy.
She received her degree from the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement, Professor Robert Mokaya, before delivering an inspirational speech to the graduands.
Vicky grew up in Wollaton, Nottingham, taking dance lessons from the age of three, and went on to earn a place at the Television Workshop aged 11.
In 2018, she joined forces with the University of Nottingham for the documentary Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure. Over the course of three months, working with the university and renowned scientists, she discovered the physical and emotional effects of music on the brain and created a choir of people living with dementia.
It was Vicky’s close personal experience of dementia, through caring for her Nana Iris, and through her role as an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society, where she saw first-hand how music and singing had affected people living with dementia.
The documentary demonstrated how music can stimulate a brain damaged by dementia and left a lasting legacy in our understanding of how music therapy can help people with dementia.
Vicky McClure said: “The Dementia Choir have taught me so much over the years. Through the TV series to it becoming a registered charity, it is by far my proudest work to date.”
