The difference that music makes

Issy Hall spoke about “Chiltern Music Therapy”, an organisation that is based in Chesham, started in 2011, and provides trained music therapist in the community, individual homes, schools hospitals, hospices and care homes. Some of the hospitals are as far apart as The Homerton in East London and Salford in Greater Manchester.

To date their therapists have helped 1200 people including Safe and Sound groups for the elderly, people living with Parkinson’s disease and babies in Special Care Baby Units. Their aim is to provide therapy to people of any age who have suffered trauma throughout the medium of music, both individually or in groups.

Referrals are made by healthcare professionals including social prescribers, schools, parents and carers. The main reasons for referral are

a) Communication issues

b) Social and mental health needs

c) Relationship problems

d) Self expression

They rely on donations from the general public and charitable foundations as there is no state funding. They have received funding from Buckingham County County and the Rothchild Foundation. Th help with funding they have developed ‘Chiltern Champions’, two of whom are Chesham Rotary and the Chess Valley Choir. Even so the organisation only manages to break even each year.

Their future challenges are ever increasing costs and providing affordable sessions, which is why fundraising is so vital to their future.