It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and we’re highlighting the positive impact that interactive live music is having on patient mental health through our regular Music Jams at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow. The sessions build on the success of a similar programme we’ve been running for over a decade at The Hive, a communal space for patients at Royal Edinburgh mental health hospital.
The Music Jams are designed to support both patients and staff through shared live music experiences. Unlike traditional performances, patients are encouraged to actively sing, play, perform and take part. The participatory format is particularly suited to mental health settings, where inpatients often stay for longer periods and benefit from consistent social connection and creative expression.
Elaine Melville, Volunteering Services Manager at Stobhill Hospital explains: “Everybody loves music, it’s such a good leveller. I think it helps to reduce barriers between patients and the staff that take care of them, and allows people an opportunity to have some fun together.”
“We wanted people to be able to share their skills while they were in hospital, to help retain some identity outside of their illness or diagnosis,” Elaine adds. “Everybody is able to connect through knowing the same song, liking the same band, liking the same music. I think the music creates that kind of equity of experience for people.”
Our musician Jason Sweeney, who leads the monthly Music Jams at Stobhill Hospital, has seen the positive impact on patient mood, engagement and connection. “People come in with their heads down and then leave feeling rejuvenated,” Jason explains. “It’s just amazing what music can do. It improves the mood of the staff and patients, so everybody is getting something back. It’s the social thing too, when music brings people together.”
Following the success of the sessions at Stobhill Hospital and The Hive, there are plans to trial Music Jams at Leverndale and Gartnavel Hospitals in Glasgow later this year with the hopes of rolling them out across the UK.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s important to remember the role that live music can play in supporting patient mental health, as shown through our interactive ‘music jams’ which have been helping patients feel calmer, more connected, and more able to express themselves.
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