Laura Stephenson has been working with us in the South of England since 1986. She most recently performed at our Festive MusicaliTea event in Walton-on-Thames.
“The first live music I did was at a mental health hospital called St Francis in Sussex. It was an Elizabethan programme and we actually got dressed up in costumes. So that was quite an induction!
The power of music is incredible. I hear families say they can’t believe it because their father has disappeared, but then he’ll be singing all the words of a song they didn’t even know he knew. I’ve loved the work and found it incredibly humbling and extraordinary. More than in any other way of making music, you have to give the best of yourself. You are thinking of other people all the way through and you really want to take them away for a while. That’s such an incredible thing to be able to be a part of.
As the artist you’re merely the vehicle for the music. You bring your own interpretation, but you’re just passing it on really. Something that we all share in is the music. You’re the vehicle through which it goes, but the participants are all having an influence and make a difference. I often find it quite difficult to do a regular concert then because I’m so used to really interacting with the audience. And that’s the loveliest thing about it really.”
Supporter spotlight: Robin and Anne Barr
Robin and Anne have supported Music in Hospitals & Care in Scotland for many years. Robin was awarded Charity Champion in 2019 at the Scottish Power Foundation Awards. We hear from Robin about their connection to the charity.
An unforgettable evening of wine, music and song
Join us on Thursday 24 September at the historic St James Garlickhythe Church in central London for a very special evening of live music. Guests will enjoy wine and canapés from 6:30pm, with music starting at 7:30pm until around 9:20pm.
Celebrating Make Music Day with more interactive Music Jams
Our Music Jam initiative is due to be rolled out to hospitals across the UK after demonstrating for more than a decade the positive impact it has on the mental health and wellbeing of patients in Edinburgh.