Our stories

Sharing live music with The Friendship Cabin

“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.”

Tommy's story

Tommy is one of almost 40 residents living at The Broughtons in Salford. Like all care homes, The Broughtons had an incredibly tough time throughout multiple lockdowns, and residents missed the interaction of Music in Hospitals & Care musicians such as A4 Brass Quartet, who have returned to the home after 18 months without live music in person.

“The music brought back memories because I used to go to parks with my dad to watch brass bands”, says Tommy, who is a big Glenn Miller fan. “He used to play when he was in the army.”

Mike's story

“It’s quiet when you’ve got dementia,” says Mike Brookes, who has been living with vascular dementia for 10 years. In lockdown, life has been particularly isolating for Mike, who is a RAF veteran, and his wife Liz.

“It’s been devastating, lonely and terrifying” says Liz, who lives with Mike in Rochdale. “Normally, we are very busy with lots of activities but they just stopped dead in the pandemic. The impact on Mike was really negative. And it was hard for him to engage with things online.

“We’ve really missed live music, which transformed Mike.”

“Live music should be on prescription for people living with dementia”

Marilyn's story

Looking across at his wife Marilyn, Chris Mercer sees her smile. They’re sharing a Music in Hospitals & Care live music experience at Holy Cross Hospital in Surrey, where Marilyn lives at the moment, and Chris used to visit every single day.

“Marilyn had an accident which left her with brain damage and she has relatively low awareness and is often asleep,” says Chris. “But when there’s good live music going on, she reacts to it. She is more awake and it makes a big difference to her wellbeing.”

Alan's story

Alan is a stroke survivor who accesses support and activities with the help of Donna, Stroke Communications Support Coordinator for The Stroke Association in Bridgend.

One of these groups is Movement to Music, led by Anwen at Rubicon Dance, who we have partnered with to share live music at dance sessions in care homes and day centres. Isla from Music in Hospitals & Care spoke to Alan, Anwen and Donna on a video call about the sessions moving online.

That element of having live music performance was really uplifting, it was really engaging. It was so nice to see everybody smiling and joining in, and people who hadn't joined in the previous sessions, who were encouraged to come along for the live session, have now said that they are going to continue to come every week.

David's story

David is 15 and has cerebral palsy. He accesses respite care at Robin House in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, which is operated by the charity Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

David loves music and has recently joined some of our #MusicEveryDay live stream sessions. 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.

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