Music in Hospitals & Care is a charity that has been improving the health and wellbeing of children and adults through the healing power of live music since 1948. As a charity founded in the same year as the NHS, we have come a long way. But we still have further to go to ensure that everyone can access and experience the joy of live music.

Music in Hospitals & Care’s professional musicians share live music with people who may not otherwise get to experience it. This includes those with dementia, mental health problems, or who are seriously ill. Our specially-created live music experiences unlock all kinds of emotions – from joy to loss, pleasure to nostalgia. They improve people’s mental, physical and emotional health. They help people feel more connected to each other.

In 2023 we celebrated our 75th anniversary and the diverse community that is at the heart of the charity. We heard the stories of the people we support through our live music, their families and healthcare professionals. We shared the knowledge and expertise of our staff team and professional musicians through helpful resources around music and health.

We launched our new three-year strategy to help us achieve our long-term ambition: for people in hospitals and care to enjoy a better quality of life and improved health outcomes. Special events throughout our live music programme recognised both long standing and newer partnerships to commemorate where we have been and look ahead to where we are going next.

Thank you so much for your support throughout what has been a wonderful year celebrating and reflecting on the impact of Music in Hospitals & Care over the past 75 years.

“The therapeutic benefits and relaxation properties of the live music are invaluable to the children of Ty Hafan – it’s a universal language. Many life-shortening conditions can come with symptoms of pain or discomfort. Music distracts the body from these symptoms, and helps the listener to fully relax and experience a sense of comfort.”

Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice, Penarth