‘Spiritual medicine’: orchestra helps people with dementia write music

Suburb where Shameless was filmed is now home to Manchester Camerata, which is intent on serving the community

On paper, it may seem like an odd pairing: the Manchester Camerata, one of Europe's most renowned orchestras, and Gorton, the tough Manchester suburb where Shameless was filmed.

Though a 100m regeneration project has bulldozed the boarded-up shops and grotty maisonettes that formed the backdrop to the chaotic Channel 4 show, the area is still among England's poorest. Almost 29% of Gortonians claim unemployment benefit, twice the English average. A disproportionate number of residents are in poor health and life expectancy is about five years shorter than the England average.