Our musicians have been speaking about some of the most significant moments they have experienced whilst sharing Joy Through Live Music with Music in Hospitals & Care.
Edelle McMahon has been working with us in Northern Ireland since 2018.
“One of my most treasured memories is when I was performing at a care home in Belfast. An elderly couple sat holding hands throughout the show. The gentleman was very attentive to the lady and for most of the concert she just smiled and sang along with a blissful expression on her face. At the end of the concert I remarked to a staff member how sweet the couple were. She told me that they had been married for over 50 years and that the lady, who was living with dementia, was no longer able to speak. They were all delighted with how she engaged with the music and sang along. Her husband gave me such a lovely smile and squeezed my hand before I left. It made me realise how important music and singing are, not only for fun, but as a way to express emotion and communicate. It was very moving.”
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.