Care homes and day centres

Our professional musicians share live music with older people living in care homes and visiting day centres.

We know that many care teams are looking for ways to tackle loneliness. Our specially-created live music experiences help people make connections. When people share music, they can feel closer to each other. Live music can transform relationships between care home residents and their families, as well as their health and care teams.

Did you know?

  • It’s estimated that 410,000 people live in care homes in the UK.[1]

  • In care homes, depression affects up to 42% of older people.[2]

  • Boredom is a significant issue for individuals in care homes, often leading to feelings of loneliness and helplessness.[3]

  • In care homes, residents and staff who take part in creative activities like music see many benefits. Staff take fewer days off work, stay in their jobs longer and build better relationships together.[4]

Performer singing and holding hands with an audience member in a wheelchair during a Music in Hospitals & Care live event.
Performer singing with a microphone as older adults laugh and enjoy a Music in Hospitals & Care session over tea and biscuits.

Following Music in Hospitals & Care live music experiences in care homes in England and Wales, more than three out of five healthcare professionals reported an enhanced understanding of the people in their care:

  • Over three-quarters (76%) of residents felt less isolated.

  • Over three-quarters (78%) of residents felt less stressed and anxious.

  • More than two-thirds (67%) of residents did more physical activity.

Find out about our work in hospitals and hospices and palliative care.

Hospices and palliative care
Musician playing guitar and singing to a care home resident during a Music in Hospitals & Care session.

Menna Whatberts, Wellbeing Lead at Valley View Care Home in South Wales

“The musicians were wonderful with our residents, interacting directly with them and were patient and thoughtful throughout. They were both very capable and talented players who confidently conveyed emotion and joy through their music and encouraged our residents to take part and even try their instruments.

I had one gentleman say ‘I can’t believe how I feel… that was marvellous. I’m so glad I didn’t miss it.’ This gentleman has never expressed any emotion other than frustration or calm before. Another lady, who very much keeps herself to herself, burst into tears and started a conversation with the lady beside her saying how beautiful it was. She has never voluntarily spoken to anyone before.

You just had to be in the room to see how everyone connected – people were clapping, dancing and whistling along or sitting and simply feeling, swaying with eyes closed… magical.

This service is vital. We are very grateful to you for providing it and cannot recommend the musicians highly enough or thank them for the joy and the experience they brought our residents this morning. It simply was outstanding.”