RNCM

Music for Health offers training and support to musicians who are interested in working with people in health and social care settings. We also offer training and support to people working in health and social care who are interested in using music as part of their work. Music is part of human existence and plays an essential role in our development. Everyone has the ability to participate in music making - playing, listening, moving or feeling the vibrations of an instrument. Our approach is to create a musical space for people where they can express themselves freely and spontaneously alongside sensitive, professional musicians. Music can provide a space for creativity, play, fun, communication, relaxation, reflection, exploration – whatever is needed at any particular time. Having access to music during difficult times of ill health can help to distract us from illness and treatment. Music is proven to reduce anxiety, stress and pain.

“It’s an attempt to create a world where loneliness, anxiety and boredom disappear into the background and positive emotions become possible.”

Mark Fisher, RNCM Music for Health Training Officer.

Ros Hawley and Mark Fisher head up a programme of training for RNCM students, professional musicians and health and social care staff. They help to develop skills in making music with people in a range of health and social care settings, including Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Seashell Trust and with participants from START Manchester and BlueSCI in Old Trafford.

“At one point the music was the only escape K had because of the pain she was in. When you played that first time, it was the first time K had closed her eyes in 10 days."
Parent of Patient, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital

Music for Health is leading a collaborative Music Programme at Central Manchester University Hospitals, with the support of the Board of Directors of the Trust. This programme is made up of public concerts in the hospital atrium spaces given by performers from the RNCM and the charity Music in Hospitals, RNCM musicians in residence trained by Ros and Mark, music therapy services delivered by the charity Nordoff-Robbins and research into the impact of music on the hospital community.

Music for Health is also part of a European Network around Music in Healthcare Settings and works closely with Musique et Santé in Paris. We have received funding from the European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme, enabling us to set up exchange and training programmes involving partners in France, Ireland, Poland and Finland.

Music for Health projects are managed by Lilli Brodner-Francis, who also compiles a monthly information bulletin containing project updates, details of interesting national and international events and opportunities for employment, training and funding.

To sign up for the bulletin or to find out more about Music for Health, please contact:

Lilli by email at [email protected]

or by phone on 0161 907 5414.

Music for Health is currently generously supported by Esmée Fairbairn and Youth Music.

www.rncm.ac.uk/component/content/article/73/100.html

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