Music for mindfulness

To celebrate our 75th anniversary we are sharing a series of resources throughout the year that build on all of the research and knowledge Music in Hospitals & Care has gained about music and health. We hope you will find them useful whether you are just looking to learn more about the benefits, or if you would like to connect through live music with yourself, a loved one, or someone you support in a health or care setting.

The second resource we would like to share is an animated guide on how to listen to music mindfully. Everyone can use simple exercises such as this to help them slow down and reconnect.

Mindfulness is being fully present in the moment and paying attention to our thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindful music listening and other regular mindfulness practices can have many benefits, including helping to improve your focus, mood and sleep.

Arts in Care Homes Day: Thanking Bert Smith

This Arts in Care Homes Day, we’re taking the time to thank Moyness Care Home’s Activities Coordinator Bert Smith, who has championed live music for care homes in Dundee for over 30 years. As Bert approaches retirement, he is looking back on his career and years of work with Music in Hospitals & Care.

World Alzheimer’s Month: Lifting spirits in Cumbria

Our musician Andy McKay has been visiting wards and care homes across Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where we have been able to share 29 hours of live music between September 2025 and May 2026. One of the spaces Andy visited is the Ramsey Unit at Furness General Hospital, an assessment unit for patients with organic illnesses such as dementia.

Read our latest annual report

In 2025/26 we focused on setting the right note for the future. Despite a challenging landscape, we are proud of what we have been able to achieve with your support.