Marie’s story
Marie lives with dementia in a care home in the North of England. Music therapy helps to bring her joy and unlock precious memories.
BBC Radio 4 Appeal
We’re delighted to have been chosen for the upcoming BBC Radio 4 charity appeal. Tune in between Sunday 20 April and Saturday 26 April to hear one of our music ambassadors, Carrie Grant, make our charity appeal on the airwaves. Carrie will introduce listeners to 14-year-old James who has cerebral palsy, visual impairment and learning difficulties.
We need your help
We need your help to fund music therapy sessions for children like James. Right now, 400,000 children are waiting. Waiting for the assessments, diagnoses, and support they desperately need for conditions like cerebral palsy, ADHD, autism, and learning difficulties.
The cracks in our healthcare system are deepening. But we know music therapy can make a difference. For over 60 years, we’ve seen how it helps children like James break barriers, express themselves, and thrive.
With no government funding to back us, and costs increasing at every turn, we need your help. Donate to our appeal and help us ensure no child is left waiting for our support.
About James
Fourteen year old James spends his days in a wheelchair with little energy to move his arms or body. He doesn’t speak much, and when he does, it’s often a very quiet whisper. Others help make his decisions and guide him through his day.
But James, who has cerebral palsy, visual impairment and learning difficulties, ‘comes alive’ through music. For two and a half years, he’s been making music at his school in London, with Nordoff and Robbins music therapist Sam. Your support will help more children like James come alive through music therapy.
Watch the video to discover the incredible impact music therapy has for James. Then tap below to donate and help transform lives with music therapy.
When there’s no music involved, you can barely get two words out of James. He doesn’t really like meeting new people or making eye contact. Where there’s no music, there’s no James.
James’ mum
Donate to our appeal
How your donation makes a difference
£10
Help fund musical instruments
Donating £10 today could buy the musical instruments that are essential for our music therapy work.
£50
Help fund an online community choir
Donating £50 could help fund an online community choir session, which supports around 40 people each week.
£80
Help fund a music therapy session
Donating £80 could fund a music therapy session. Help transform the lives of children like James with your gift.
How music therapy helps James
Music ignites a spark in James that his mum rarely sees outside of music therapy sessions. She says: “When there’s no music involved, you can barely get two words out of James. He doesn’t really like meeting new people or making eye contact. Where there’s no music, there’s no James.”
In his music therapy sessions, James commits all his energy to singing or playing the drums, raising his arms and moving his body to the music. Energised by the music, he commands music therapist Sam to play louder or faster – this is a space where James can really take control. Music lifts the weight of fear and pain for James, giving him a sense of freedom.
You can read more about James’ story here.
How you can help
Millions of people in the UK are living with dementia, learning difficulties or mental health issues, or are autistic. Many face barriers that make it difficult to communicate or connect with the world around them. With over 60 years of practice and research, we know that we’re the ones who can help make a difference.
But we can’t do this alone. Donate to our appeal today and help us transform lives for children like James. You can catch our appeal on BBC Radio 4 between Sunday 20 and Saturday 26 April. Find out more about the broadcast here.
