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Music24

Music24 is a registered charity providing music therapy and other therapeutic activities across various location in Beds & Herts. At present, our areas of work involve offering one-to-one and/or group music therapy to people with Learning Disabilities, Mental Health illnesses, Neuro-disabilities and people with Dementia and their carers. We offer active and personalised music making sessions which promote positive and meaningful social experiences.

Updated:
24 September 2020
Location:
East of England
Sectors:
Arts, Health, Social Care, Voluntary Sector, Care, Charity
Local Alliances:
Luton Dementia Action Alliance, Welwyn Hatfield Dementia Action Alliance (WHDAA)

1. Action Plan

1. The National Dementia Declaration lists seven outcomes that the DAA are seeking to achieve for people with dementia and their carers. How would you describe your organisation’s role in delivering better outcomes for people with dementia and their carers?

Music24 will strive to contribute towards delivering Action 5 on the National Dementia Declaration - I live in an enabling and supportive environment where I feel valued and understood. We have now provided a service for people with dementia in Luton for 6 years and this has increased to reach more and more people every year, including those that are in the late stages through our 1:1 service. In Herts, we have been providing groups since Sept 2016, these take place in Hoddesdon, Watford, Steven and Welwyn Garden City. In our sessions, we embrace both the person with dementia and the one that's caring for them. Making live music helps to create bond between people, making new memories and living 'in the now'. Music helps to highlight people's unimpaired skills, they are of equal partnership to those they make music will. Music has the ability to engage people at any level, therefore there is something for everyone in the sessions. Our staff are incredibly skilled and find innovative ways in bringing everyone together through music. In our sessions, carers also have the opportunity to seek support from other carers and staff. The support network we build is vital in helping carers cope with the ever increasing challenges that dementia can present.

2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?

Our main challenge is sourcing the right funding for this highly specialised service. As yet, we have managed to get seed-funding for 5 groups and have expanded to do other things in different areas such as 1:1 sessions, working with a BAME Group and we've started Open Singing Cafes. All of this is needed, but the more we do, the more funding we have to find. We are planning to take steps over the coming years in order to become ore sustainable and diversify our income streams.

Member website

www.music24.org.uk

2. Actions

  • Pandemic: Provide Ongoing Support

    Music24 has managed to adapt our service so we can continue to support people online and over the phone. 

    Since March, we have moved all our sessions online via Zoom. In additon to this, we have also provided EFT sessions and a talking group for carers based in Herts. 

    Status:
    Being implemented

  • Reaching more people in Luton

    We've recieved funding now to extend our service to reach more people for another year. Our goal this year is to execute this well and share observations and knowledge with individuals and orgnatisations within Luton. 

    We'd like to create a training model that can be implented into different work settings for staff in day centres and care homes to show them how to offer meaning musical activites. 

    Status:
    Completed

  • Offer a creative, therapeutic outlet for Early Diagnosis Dementia

    We want to offer a meaningful, therapeutic experience to people who have Early Diagnosis Dementia. A 3 month trial project will see a small group being given the opportunity to be of something worthwhile, whilst setting their own to goals to achieve during this time. This can be anything from writing or performing a song, sharing thoughts and feelings with other people who understand their situation and exploring this in a non-verbal way or just simply enjoying a new social experience.

    Status:
    Completed

    2015 - Second Quarter Update

    Music24 has kept the group running through user contributions and their own fundraising efforts. We're going to apply for funding to evaluate our work. 

    2014 - Fourth Quarter Update

    This has been a fantatsic success and we have secured a further 3 months funding to continue our work. 

    2014 - First Quarter Update

    New pilot music project commenced on Thursday 5th June and funded by Luton Borough Council. We're offering musical activities to people aged between 40-65 who are diagnosed with dementia. 

  • Offer carers an opportunity for respite during our sessions

    During our sessions, we’d like to offer carers the opportunity to have an hours respite. In turn, they may also wish to stay and enjoy the session, but it is entirely up to the carer and this time can be used as they wish. We’ve made a point of running our sessions in a central location in Luton Town centre, in order to allow carers to have the choice to run errands during this free time or they can just grab some down time and enjoy a coffee in the on-site cafe. To us, the carer’s well-being is just as important.

    Status:
    Delivered

    2016 - Second Quarter Update

    This is an ongoing action for Music24. Carers still both attend our sessions or use the time as respite. They have the freedom to chosoe which is best for them when it suits them.

    2014 - First Quarter Update

    Carers of attendees at our sessions have access to an hours respite. For some carers it is something to be developed as we build trust with our clients, and others are more confident and feel safe in the environment we provide allowing them to maintain indepence within the comunity. 

    The music sessions can also encourage carers to join in on activities if desired, enabling a shared experience and keeping strong relationships with their loved one.

  • Set the groundwork for an ongoing research opportunity into how music can play a part in improving the lives of people who are affected by Dementia

    By the end of 2014, Music24 will have completed a pilot project based around the use of Music with Early Diagnosis Dementia & their Carers. We then hope to plan and raise funds for an ongoing research project. We aim to complete this research project within the next 3-5 years.  

    Status:
    Uncompleted

    2015 - Fourth Quarter Update

    Music24 has completed a study funded by The Music Therapy Charity. The results will be published early next year. 

    2014 - First Quarter Update

    New Member

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