Publish date: 15 November 2022
David Nicholson is a Music Therapist in Dementia and works in the Trust's Arts Therapies Department. Together with his team - and the help of two music therapy students - he runs two weekly Music Therapy Groups at The Limes in Southall for service users in advanced stages of dementia.
David shares how the groups have had a positive impact and saying how they "have been able to work meaningfully with service users who have very limited cognitive functioning, something which can often prevent them from being able to fully engage in groups that are more verbally based.”
During the sessions, the team cover several core songs that they regularly reference and weave in more improvised and free playing around these with the instruments available. He added:
“The groups can often be quite lively and loud, and the emotional stimulation and connection that service users experience can give them an important sense of connecting with each other through the experience of a shared musical experience.”
The groups are strongly supported by Brightmore Mukutirwa (The Limes Manager) Tim Wright, (Arts Therapies Department Manager) and Steph Moran, (Activities Co-ordinator at The Limes) who – along with other Limes Team staff – often get involved themselves. David and his team really encourage and support their participation saying how it’s led to "many special moments where a real sense of shared community emerges amongst both staff and patients."
Staff that have observed and taken part in the music therapy groups also commented saying:
“We feel strongly that abundant health benefits can be achieved by older adults who earn to make music in a supportive, socially enjoyable setting. We are just beginning to understand the positive effects of making music on our bodies and our physical health.”
Another added: “Music Therapy provides escapism for our service users as well as therapeutic engagement.”
The Arts Therapies Department provides a range of different groups that include Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Drama Therapy and Dance Movement Therapy to Community Adult Mental Health Services and Adult Acute Inpatient (for patients living in hospital while under treatment) Services across the Trust.