We’ve been sharing the healing power of live music with the residents and staff at Brynmawr Care Village since 2022. Earlier this month, their dedicated team showed their support for us by hosting a bake sale and donating all proceeds to Music in Hospitals & Care’s Christmas appeal.
Brynmawr Care Village is a warm and inclusive community that provides specialised care for people living with dementia in South Wales. The village offers more than just accommodation, it’s a community where residents can feel at home.
Our monthly live music has become a much-loved highlight for everyone in the village, creating moments of joy and connection for residents and staff.
Clare Hartland, Wellbeing Coordinator at Brynmawr Care Village explained: “We love the musicians who entertain us. They uplift, they offer hope, they soothe, they actively engage and make the village a place of song. Residents enjoy, and staff love this side of their work – joining in, singing along, dancing and having fun.”
“A harpist and a violinist came along to Glanbury Home. These talented performers ‘hushed’ the room. They brought us such delight, people sat entranced – they helped us to dance, to sing. They even visited folk who were taking rest at that time in their rooms. It was incredible and we are so grateful to them for sharing their talents with us.”
Clare added that the live music experiences “provide an opportunity for families who visit to enjoy some light entertainment”. She explained: “they are mood boosters, the residents will often feel refreshed, happier, and more calm in themselves.”
Spread across three care homes, the village provides personalised care with the help of onsite nurses, carers, and wellbeing staff, all of whom work throughout Christmas to help residents. Clare explained how important our music is to residents during the festive period: “at Christmas time, familiar songs and Christmas carols are uppermost in people’s minds, and singing these help evoke a sense of wellbeing and continuity, of being part of a familiar celebration.”
We appreciate the team’s fundraising support and look forward to continuing to work together to share the joy of live music with the residents at Brynmawr Care Village. If you’d like find out how you could fundraise for us, please click here.
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Our musician Andy McKay has been visiting wards and care homes across Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where we have been able to share 29 hours of live music between September 2025 and May 2026. One of the spaces Andy visited is the Ramsey Unit at Furness General Hospital, an assessment unit for patients with organic illnesses such as dementia.
Read our latest annual report
In 2025/26 we focused on setting the right note for the future. Despite a challenging landscape, we are proud of what we have been able to achieve with your support.