Sharing joy through live music with Marillac Neurological Care Centre

Music in Hospitals & Care is sharing joy through live music with residents and staff at Marillac Neurological Care Centre for adults with complex neurological conditions, including stroke and acquired brain injury. 

Our musicians have been visiting Marillac regularly since 2023 to help improve wellbeing and create moments of connection for residents and staff. Live music can aid patient recovery by sparking memories and reducing frustration and anxiety. Moving to music supports physiotherapy by helping to build muscle strength and improve coordination.

Gordon Rolfe, husband of Marillac resident Sarah, shares his experiences of the live music: “What I find here is that there are different types of music. The other week it was two girls playing a keyboard, and they explained the music and where it came from. There’s classical music and more catchy stuff.” Gordon went on to share the impact that live music has for his wife, Sarah: “I can see Sarah’s enjoying it because she’s holding my hand and tapping along.” 

Each musician is selected for their ability to sensitively adapt to the needs of different health and care settings, so that performances are not only entertaining but also meaningful to residents. 

Cathy Gotts, Activities Coordinator at The Marillac Neurological Care Centre, discusses the positive effect that live music has on residents: “They really enjoy it. 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.” 

Alastair Collingwood is a pianist and singer who has been working with Music in Hospitals & Care since 2018 and recently visited the Marillac centre. He explains: “The main thing to me is being able to play what people want to hear. I do often try to ask people beforehand if there are any songs they like. I love it, I really enjoy it, I find it very rewarding.” 

Marillac provides a broad programme of activities, including arts and crafts, music therapy, and rehabilitation, all designed to help residents live as fully and independently as possible. Live music plays a vital role within this programme, offering many residents a lifeline by providing comfort, reducing isolation, and offering an opportunity to rekindle cherished memories. 

Read more about how live music is helping patient recovery in our latest newsletter.