Ty Tom Jones
Music transcends barriers and brings people closer together
Ty Tom Jones
Ty Tom Jones is a hostel in Swansea run by The Wallich, Wales’s leading homelessness and rough sleeping charity. The hostel opened to meet the increased need for homelessness services during the Covid pandemic. It provides accommodation and support for up to 24 residents with a range of complex support needs.
We began our partnership with Ty Tom Jones in 2021. At the hostel, a sense of community is crucial, and music helps to create this. It provides ways for people to communicate and opportunities for self-expression.
Music therapy has had a clear, positive impact on the mental health of those who engage directly, and those who are in proximity to it. It makes people who have a history of feeling like they don’t have a voice feel heard. This is incredibly powerful.
One client at Ty Tom Jones has various challenges with mental health and substance misuse. He struggles to articulate himself. Leaving music therapy sessions, he speaks more clearly, is calmer and more confident. Music therapy has dramatically improved his self-esteem.
Music therapy has given residents at Ty Tom Jones something to look forward to, giving structure to their week. By breaking down barriers to engagement, it has improved relationships between residents and staff. Participating in music therapy has also made many residents more willing to engage with the other types of support offered by the hostel.
Partnership working is key to our success. Partnering with Nordoff and Robbins has provided obvious benefits for staff and residents alike.
We produced this story in partnership with Ty Tom Jones, where we delivered music therapy services from 2021 to 2023.
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