Alfie’s story
Music therapy has helped nine-year-old Alfie, who is autistic, to find ways to work collectively with others.
Music Therapy Week
What is music therapy week?
Music Therapy Week runs every year from 10-15 April. It’s time to raise our voices and shine a light on the positive impact of music therapy.
We’re on a mission to raise awareness of music therapy and the conditions it 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. Where words are absent, music speaks.
Music therapy has been transformative for 14-year-old James, who has cerebral palsy, visual impairment, learning difficulties and spends his days in a wheelchair. Outside of music therapy he rarely speaks, or has the energy to move his arms or body. Watch our video below to see how energised James is by music. And then click to find out more about our upcoming appeal, which will help us support more children like James.
How can I get involved?
There are so many ways to get involved this Music Therapy Week! We’ve got images and infographics for you to share on social media. Posters and bunting for you to put up in your local area. Quizzes to play with your friends, family and colleagues.
We’ve also lots of ideas for things you can do at school, with a community group (such as a choir, or guitar group), as well as with your work colleagues. Click on the links below to get started.
Schools
Inspire the next generation! Introduce students to the power of music therapy and get involved today.
Get involved
Community
Bring people together! Whether you’re hosting an event or spreading the word, find everything you need to support Music Therapy Week in your community.
Get involved
Organisations
Make a lasting impact! Discover ways your organisation can contribute.
Learn more
Downloads
Download images and infographics to share on social media, posters and bunting to put up in your local area, and our quiz to play with family, friends or colleagues!
Learn more
Donate today
As a charity that receives no government funding, we rely on the generosity of people like you to make our transformative music therapy work possible. Donate today to support our work.
Donate
What is music therapy?
Our highly-trained, Nordoff and Robbins music therapists support people to connect and communicate through music who otherwise are unable to. We work with a diverse range of people such as those who are autistic, or living with dementia, learning difficulties, brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses, mental health issues, grief and trauma.
Music therapy creates space for freedom and self-expression, improving quality of life and allowing people to do more than just survive. That’s why music therapy can be truly transformational.
What are the benefits of music therapy?
The benefits of music therapy are as diverse as the many people we support – last year alone we supported nearly 17,000 people with over 55,000 music therapy sessions. But there are some common trends such as improved mental health and quality of life.
The feedback we get from our clients shows just how transformative music therapy can be:
- Mental health: We work with pupils in mainstream and in Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools. Out of the pupils we work with in SEN schools, 92% of the people we surveyed last year said that music therapy improved their mental health.
- Quality of life: 91% of the people we surveyed last year said that music therapy improved our clients’ quality of life.
- Communication, interaction and relationships: 92% of the people we surveyed last year said that music therapy improved their ability to communicate, interact and had an overall positive impact on their relationships.
If you or someone close to you might benefit from music therapy, you can make a referral by filling in our online form.
Stories
Brydie’s story
Music therapy sessions gave Brydie, who lived with dementia, a place to connect with others and rediscover her sociable nature.
The Riverbrae School Choir
The Riverbrae School Choir welcomes all pupils at the school, and provides a safe space where they can express themselves through music.
Leave a legacy
A gift in your will could help thousands of people in need get access to music therapy. Plus we’re giving you the chance to write your will for free.
Interested in partnering with us?
Then we’d love to hear from you! Find out more and get in touch.
Attend an event
We have a varied event series that runs throughout the year. From Carols to celebrating the incredible talent of the North of England with our Northern Music awards.