Voice

Collectively we have a stronger and louder voice – we know our supporters, musicians, staff, trustees, and health and care professionals believe in our vision and mission. We are here to make that possible together.

Through greater awareness of live music, we can create stronger partnerships and ensure more people can access the creativity and joy of live music no matter their health and wellbeing.

This year we have continued to work in partnership with people experiencing the power of live music. We have shared personal stories and continued to champion for greater integration of live music in health and care. This is a pivotal part of our investment strategy to reach and engage more music lovers.

Moving to music is a natural physiotherapy

For the past year, we’ve been bringing live music experiences to patients and staff at Homerton University Hospital’s Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit (RNRU).

This specialist ward supports patients aged 18+ who have experienced a neurological incident, such as a brain injury, stroke, or other condition affecting the nervous system.

Most patients on the ward have sustained severe, life-changing traumatic brain injuries, often requiring long-term care and rehabilitation. Many also face significant speech and communication challenges.

Alexis Azcueta, Leisure Coordinator, has seen first-hand how the live music makes a difference:

“Patients who have issues with communication, memory or emotion, I see them singing along to songs. While they often can’t form new sentences, they can remember a melody and most of the words to a song.

For patients with limited mobility, it’s wonderful for them to experience live music, it’s something they might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy. It is something that everyone can take part in.

This story received coverage in the Hackney Gazette, Islington Gazette, Ilford Recorder, and the Hampstead and Highgate News, with an estimated reach of over 30,000 readers.

It can be quite emotional for patients as well. It can take them back to different times, a time before their brain injury. It’s not necessarily a bad thing for patients to get emotional like this, it allows them to process their feelings and can even empower them to embrace those emotions.”

Music in Hospitals & Care ukulelist Elkie Jeffery has visited the RNRU several times and uses interactive music activities like Name That Tune to engage patients in a fun and interesting way.

Music in Hospitals & Care musician Elkie Jeffery

“There is nothing like live music to lift the spirits, and you can see it on the faces and in the body language of the patients and their families – it offers comfort or an uplifting moment at times of stress and worry, not to mention the fabulous NHS staff that really appreciate the music too. I gain so much from playing – it is a joy to share music with people who need it the most.”

Residents at Marillac Neurological Care Centre in Essex get similar benefits from the live music. Activities Coordinator, Cathy Gotts, explains: “It brings out so many emotions – it makes them happy, it also calms them. Some of our residents can get quite agitated and some don’t leave their room all that often, but they come out for the music.”

Live music can help to reduce anxiety and improve emotional wellbeing for people with an acquired brain injury. Engaging with live music in a physical way can support physiotherapy by building muscle strength and improving coordination.

Highlights

Over 4,000 people pledged their support for patients, carers, residents, and health and care staff to experience the joy of live music. These people joined us in believing in increasing access to live music and helped us raise over £16,000 to keep making this possible.

We were part of the launch of Hywel Dda Health Board’s Arts and Health Charter – the first of its kind in Wales, and likely the UK. It represents a public promise to integrate the arts into the work of the health board.

Hosted the cafe stage at So Many Beauties as a partner organisation at the dementia friendly music festival for a second time. Our musicians appeared live on BBC Breakfast alongside other music and health charities to promote the benefits of music for people living with dementia.

Created a short film thanks to our partnership with People’s Postcode Lottery to show the impact of live music in hospitals from the perspective of our staff, musicians, healthcare professionals and patients. The video has had 1,871 views across our social media channels.

Shared 12 hours of live music in April, May and August for staff at Charing Cross Hospital as part of its Pathway to Excellence.

The global initiative centres around the wellbeing of nurses and creating a positive practice environment leading to better care.

Invested in a new stories and media role so we share authentic stories and experiences to engage more people in the power of live music. This has resulted in press coverage across England, Wales and Scotland, with a press release conversion of 50%.