Claire Van Opstal, Play Specialist at Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, shares how our #MusicEveryDay live streams have helped the hospice continue to support families during lockdown.
“Lockdown has been a very challenging time for us and our families here at Derian House; many of our families have been at home shielding. Some children have been able to access respite and stay and play sessions at the hospice, but with all the COVID-19 guidelines in place we have had to think hard about how we deliver our services and support to the families that need it most.
We really missed live music and were stuck listening to the radio and the same playlists. When I received an email from Music in Hospitals & Care to say we could access live stream music sessions, we jumped at the chance for the children and young people staying with us, and we were able to advertise the links on our Facebook page for families to join in at home too.
The children love it when they hear their name mentioned and then the musician plays their favourite song. The sessions are so therapeutic, making us all happy and lifting the atmosphere, reducing anxiety, stress, helping us communicate with our children and also distracting them from any discomfort, pain or worries they have.
Whenever I tell staff that we have a live music session that day, they get excited and look forward to it just as much as the child they are caring for. The atmosphere is always lifted after these sessions, which is just what we really need during this challenging time.”
Kindness in harmony at Companies House
This Random Acts of Kindness Day, we are celebrating the Companies House choir in Cardiff, which brings colleagues together to boost wellbeing and raise funds for Music in Hospitals & Care.
Student Volunteering Week: Molly
It’s Student Volunteering Week, and we’re celebrating the important role student volunteers play in helping us share the joy of live music with communities across the UK.
Children’s Mental Health Week: Reuben’s Retreat
We’ve been sharing the joy of live music with children, their families and staff at Reuben’s Retreat in Glossop. The sessions are designed to soothe and support children with life limiting illnesses and offer an opportunity for families to connect with others who understand their experience.