Our stories
People are at the heart of what we do. Discover some of our stories from across the UK to find out more about how people in health and care are benefitting from live music experiences.
Gordon first began going to The Friendship Cabin in Fife in August 2021 when he was struggling with depression. He hadn’t spoken a word to anyone for quite some time, and combined with the family issues he was dealing with, he had started to think that life was worthless.
The music has really helped me to forget my worries and cope much better. It brought back my confidence and really improved my mood. It has changed my life.
Rights Made Real is a project that focuses on improving quality of life in care homes and supporting staff to embed human rights into their everyday practice.
“You see people, who might at other times be agitated or concerned, becoming joyful. If a staff member can sit next to somebody and have a great sing song with them, it levels the playing field a bit and we begin to see each other just as people again.”
Singer and guitarist Charlie Gorman joined Music in Hospitals & Care in 2013 and has performed regularly at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for the past eight years.
It's a light in the week to work towards.
“We’re not just listening to the radio or a recording, it’s live music. Somebody’s actually there singing the song and you can get up and sing along with them.” says Claire, a volunteer at The Friendship Cabin, an activity group for adults of all abilities based in Glenrothes, Fife. “When I first started here my confidence was way down, but now I’m up dancing all the time with the members and I really enjoy it.”
“Music just seems to lighten things. You’re that busy singing and dancing you don’t think about anything else. You’re living for the now. It’s great.”
David is 15 and has cerebral palsy. He loves music and has taken part in some of our #MusicEveryDay online live music through Robin House, which is run by the charity Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). We spoke to David’s mum Evelyn and CHAS Activities Facilitator Alison on a video call.
It’s just a fantastic way for David to engage with something that he loves. I see the benefit it has for David and I would hate to think there's anyone out there who can't access it. It would be such a shame.
Mary is 79 and has been a resident at Grange Care Home in Kilmarnock, Scotland, for two years. She takes part in all of the activities organised by Derek, Lifestyle Coordinator at the care home, and has a particular fondness for music. We spoke to Mary and Derek on a video call about their online live music with Music in Hospitals & Care musician Neil Sturgeon.
We haven’t had live music for months. So to have a Music in Hospitals & Care musician come in and actually interact directly with residents – asking what songs they would like to hear – it was almost like a wee touch to the outside world again.
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