Volunteers’ Week: Lesley-Ann

This week we are celebrating our fantastic volunteers and the valuable addition they make to the Music in Hospitals & Care community. From helping out at fundraising events, to being on our local committees or Board of Trustees, helping out behind the scenes in our area offices, collecting feedback from health and care settings and reaching out to new ones, we want to thank all of the people who donate their time and skills to help share the healing power of live music.

We spoke to Lesley-Ann, a student who recently volunteered with our Music Delivery team in Scotland.

What did you get involved with while you were volunteering?

For my volunteering, I monitored the pilot sessions of a new programme at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Dundee. Live music was shared at the new Centre for Brain Injury Rehabilitation as part of a redesign of stroke and brain injury services across Dundee and Angus. I sat in on the sessions, gathered feedback and presented said feedback at a staff meeting.

What skills did you gain?

I was able to gain many skills, talking to both patients and carers to gather a sense of the support needed. I was able to consolidate some skills in managing my time and in working as part of a larger team. As I was able to sit in on a staff meeting, I was able to see how the team meshed with each other and how the roles interlinked.

Would you recommend volunteering for Music in Hospitals & Care to others?

For anyone else thinking of volunteering, I would highly encourage getting involved. Music is a big part of my life, and I do love the idea of using it as part of holistic healthcare.