We're Proud To Support The Together With Music Campaign

MHA is delighted to announce it is part of an exciting new music project aimed at bringing generations together.

Together with Music is designed to lift the spirits of our residents and members this winter and is being run by Care England, the representative body for care services, and Intergenerational Music Making.

The initiative will strengthen and build upon links between education, health and community organisations adopting music as a conduit for sharing cultural heritage, providing a physical and emotional bond and enhancing individual identity for the young and old.

Through the project, our homes and schemes will be linked with local schools and youth groups using the power of music and the internet. Both residents and members along with the young people will choose songs that are meaningful to them and share them with each other.

This musical introduction will act as a vehicle into further connection, creativity and stronger community links across England.

Music has been recognised as an effective way of engaging people including those living with dementia. MHA has long recognised the power of music, being the first to pioneer music therapy for its residents.

The Together with Music project builds on an initial programme ‘Musical Conversations’ run by IMM with MHA which showed the transformative value of these musical connections. One resident commented, "Music is so powerful and it's been really uplifting receiving personalised messages from the most wonderful children. Long may it continue!”

MHA Chief Executive, Sam Monaghan said: “Music in people's lives is so important, something we recognised when we pioneered music therapy for people living with dementia in our care homes. It has life-enhancing results, lifting spirits, helping reduce anxiety and impacting positively on the lives of our residents.

"In addition, linking generations through the medium of music helps create bonds at a time when face to face contact is not always possible, which is why we are so proud to be a part of the campaign.”

Professor Martin Green, CEO Care England, said: “Care homes are especially mindful of the need to consider the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of residents whilst restrictions are in place to protect them from Covid-19. This project will bring a ray of sunshine to thousands of lives and help counter feelings of isolation during the winter months.”

IMM Director, Charlotte Miller added: “Together with Music will connect young people with care home residents through music to raise awareness, establish links and in turn, tackle loneliness, isolation and promote sustainable socialisation for those most vulnerable. It shall be through these magical connections and collaborations that the project will build strong, creative and resilient communities. It starts with a song!”