Arts and Music in Care

Music - in particular group singing - is invaluable as a way to foster connection and aid Wellbeing.

As a professional singer and artist and as a Facilitator of group singing sessions, I see again and again the benefits of singing for people in Care settings.  This is not only of benefit to the people who are living in or receiving care, but also to those who work in care.

My proposal would be for the Committee to do all it can to help ensure that Care Homes are able to provide music by way of professional musicians and artists who can offer performances or who can facilitate group workshops.  Not all care homes can afford to do this or if they can, the sessions may be infrequent.  This should I feel be regularly provided and not just something that is offered now-and-again.

Because music is life.  When we are experiencing the outside world, we are experiencing sounds as a backdrop to much of day - whether it be nature sounds or the sounds of everyday hustle and bustle.  When we are living freely, we cand decide to go to a concert or other performance. In a care home, residents might have no opportunity to hear live music or, if they do, this might be provided by amateur musicians.  While there is nothing against this, when we pay to see a live performance, we are often paying to see musicians and artists who are experienced either through training, years of working, or both.

Delivering a recent session in a care home, tears rolled down the eyes of residents, and staff -- simply because their hearts had been touched by the contact that came through hearing a voice singing.  Residents engaged in a way that they hadn't in a long time.  For an hour, hearts had been reignited.  This should not only be available to a lucky few. It is as important as eating and drinking.  Music nurtures and nourishes us in another way.