How Nordoff Robbins' music therapy work helps people with dementia
Nordoff Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity has just launched their annual Christmas Appeal, asking people to give the gift of music to help families affected by dementia.
Last updated 4th Dec 2019
As the largest independent music therapy charity in the UK, Nordoff Robbins works to enrich the lives of people affected by life limiting illness, isolation or disability.
Right now, there are 1 million people living with dementia in the UK, a disease that makes it harder for someone to communicate, harder to concentrate, harder to carry out day-to-day tasks and harder to remember time, places and people.
But music is a powerful way to help them retain their sense of identity and continue to function, even as the brain deteriorates.
Cis is a good example of the brilliant work Nordoff Robbins does. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2016. Since then it's been really hard for her family to see her abilities, memory and personality fading in front of them.
Her daughter Joan explained to us recently how her Mum had always been shy but, "when dad died in 2008, we really struggled to get her to do anything. Then in 2014 mum suffered a mild stroke, and by 2016 she was diagnosed with dementia. Mum's illness has affected her in so many ways. She isn’t able to recall things and is now starting to forget faces and family members.”
One of Nordoff Robbins music therapists, John, was working at the NHS memory clinic Cis began attending. Her physician suggested she and Joan join the group sessions that John.
Joan was present at her Mum's first music therapy session. "We were both a little nervous. But as we walked into the room there was a lovely warm feeling. People were relaxed, they made space for us to sit, and there was a feeling of true acceptance; no questions asked, no judgements made.
"The singing started - at first mum didn’t join in, although she looked like she was enjoying herself. But then John played the opening chords to ‘Over the Rainbow’ and just like that, Mum burst into song. It occurred to me in that moment that since Dad died, we’d all stopped singing, until now.”
John, much like all of Nordoff Robbins’ music therapists 'tunes' into each movement, reaction and expression of the individuals he works with to discover how music can enrich their lives.
The anticipated effect could be to unlock memories, to communicate where words have failed, or to socially connect with family and friends. It's hoped that this work helps build confidence and self-esteem.
In the case of her mother Cis, it was exactly this, and a whole lot more according to Cis.
“It made mum simply shine with confidence. John would play so many songs from mum’s era, and it was wonderful watching her remember them, it would bring a tear to the eye. Music therapy helped us cope, it has helped us bring out, and keep hold of, the Mum that we all love, and that is completely priceless”
In addition to working with people like Cis, Nordoff Robbins provide a range of different sessions for children and adults of all ages in their centres in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Scotland - from specialised one-to-one music therapy to shared sessions for groups of different sizes and formats
They also work in partnership with over 200 organisations to bring music therapy to as many vulnerable people who could benefit from it as possible. These include schools, care homes, hospices, hospitals, mental health services, and brain injury units.
All of their therapists are trained on their internationally recognized Master of Music Therapy (MMT) programme, 80% of which were employed by Nordoff Robbins after graduation.
Last year the charity managed to reach 10, 269 people, and a survey carried out on 733 of their beneficiaries showed that 95% said music therapy helped improve their interaction, communication and relationships, while 92% said that music therapy had improved their quality of life and wellbeing.
But the charity receives no direct government funding, meaning they have to rely on the generosity of its supporters to make this difference to peoples lives.
So, this Christmas we're delighted to be working with Nordoff Robbins to help more families like Cis and Joan affected by dementia find joy and connection again.
To give to the Nordoff Robbins Christmas Campaign and support the charity's ongoing work, please visit https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/gift-2019
We'll be broadcasting the Nordoff Robbins Carol Concert on 22nd and 25th December. To attend the recording on 10th December at St Luke's Crypt, Sydney St, Chelsea, London SW3 6NH, book tickets on the Universe website__.