Music Therapy

MHA is a leading provider of award-winning music therapy in dementia care across the UK. In 2008 we started with just one music therapist and now we employ 30 music therapists to work across 65 of our care home homes offering dementia care.

Our music therapists provide both individual and group music therapy sessions which are free of charge to the residents in our care as it is funded by charitable donations. 

Our trained therapists interact directly with our care home residents through live music therapy sessions, this can be through singing, playing simple percussion instruments, or responding to musical cues, as well as the exchange of verbal, facial, vocal, and bodily expressions in a session. 

The person-centered approach employed by music therapists can help to reduce signs of distress for people living with dementia and provide opportunities for self-expression and communication with others. Our therapists work alongside care teams to share their insights and knowledge of residents’ changing needs.

Music therapy research

We are committed to exploring research opportunities and generating evidence for music therapy in order to campaign for music therapy to be part of daily care provision and to influence policy making.

We have a longstanding collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University and have conducted a number of research projects together. We are currently working in collaboration with Middlesex University and other universities in Europe to deliver the MusiCare study which will investigate whether music therapy has benefits for cognitive abilities and healthy ageing. We are also collaborating with Music For Dementia and Casio Music UK, trialling a keyboard for use by people living with dementia and their carers. 

Music Strategy 

Music has the power to evoke many different emotions and memories: the songs we used to dance to, and the ones we might still be dancing to; the bands that we followed; music that inspired us; music that helped us through celebrations as well as sad times; and music that moves us and gives us meaning.

Our Music Strategy sets out commitments on how music enables residents and members to live later life well, as well as how music plays an important role for family members, colleagues, and engagement with the wider community.

Support us and make a donation

Music therapy sessions are provided free of charge to residents so can only be made possible thanks to the generous charitable support of people like you. To make a donation towards this life-enhancing service, please visit our online donation form >

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below is some additional information and FAQs about music therapy at MHA.