Welcome to our 2025/26 annual report
“After twenty years I am prouder now than I have ever been to be President of Music in Hospitals & Care.
It was during the making of a promotional video for the charity that I realised fully the significance that music played in the lives of very sick people. I’d seen within my own family when singing for my mother and two aunts, how their dementia was soothed listening to me quietly singing a song they recognised.
That singing of the song goes on tirelessly with the work of the charity and the brilliant array of musicians. Don’t ever think that music plays only a minor part in our lives, it’s much bigger than that and Music in Hospitals & Care leads the charge in seeing that those less fortunate than ourselves have the benefit of music in their lives.”
Sir Thomas Allen
President
“Like many charities, we continue to navigate the challenges of a difficult economic climate. Rising costs and an uncertain financial landscape have meant that our fundraising has not grown at the rate needed to meet the increasing demand for our live music.
Despite these pressures, what truly stands out is the extraordinary dedication of the Music in Hospitals & Care community. A huge thank you to our staff, volunteers, musicians, health and care partners, and of course our supporters for championing the healing power of live music. We are so proud of what we have been able to achieve together this year.”
Barbara Osborne
Chief Executive
“I could hear a baby crying from the room next door, so I stood in the doorway and played for him. It calmed his crying, and he was inquisitively looking around to try and find the source of the music… When I stopped playing and went to the next room, he started crying again, so at the end I had a little bit of extra time so I went back and played more for him, and it was a really lovely moment.”
Our musician Elkie Jeffery sharing live music at St Mary’s Hospital in London
“It has been exciting to coordinate live music this year! Having exclusively worked in the South of England and Channel Islands since 2023, this was the year I began coordinating sessions outside of the South of England where I am based. New UK wide experiences, all while continuing our work with our regular settings from previous years. Working within grant restrictions with a large enquiry list was a challenge, but I’m really proud of what we achieved. My personal highlight was working with health and care settings in Northern Ireland. Despite tight funding deadlines and delays receiving paperwork to allow the sessions to go ahead, I managed to coordinate 12 hours of live music in a very short space of time. It was a true testament to the hard work and loyalty of our musicians too.”
Elliot Shulman, Live Music Coordinator at Music in Hospitals & Care
“One of the participants was very taken with our first song, 'Ave Maria'. At the end he called me over and asked that next time we were in, we might consider playing Ave Maria as ‘it’s a lovely tune’. It made me feel quite emotional as, even though he might not have recalled we already played it, he felt confident enough to make a request and remember a song that he liked.”
Our musicians The Brag Gwyn Duo sharing live music at Age Connects Torfaen
“It has been an honour to serve as a Welsh volunteer ambassador for Music in Hospitals & Care since 2013, as a Trustee for nine years until 2025, and now as Honorary Trustee. During this time I have enjoyed raising funds for the organisation in Cardiff, Llandudno, and most recently in London in September 2025 for an evening of Wine, Music & Song.”
Dr Jeremy Huw Williams, supporter and successfulWelsh baritone
“Music is a good remedy, it gives you a good feeling. I really appreciate it.”
“The music raised the energy of the ward. It made me feel happy, peaceful. Warm euphoria in my heart.”