Music Enrichment encompasses a range of activities involving music to enrich and enhance the lives of people with learning disabilities and those with acquired brain injury.
Music is a powerful medium and listening to music can have a profound effect on emotions. Depending on the style and tempo, it can create a calming, tranquil environment or drive energy and motivation. It stirs the soul and can be incredibly joyous and uplifting.
Music is a big part of life at Richardson Care and we provide a range of music enrichment activities including:
The group music enrichment sessions are not just passive experiences – although there is no pressure to take part. We have found that by being introduced to music at their own pace, service users gradually choose to become involved. This may start with simply watching and listening to live music being performed and seeing the enjoyment that it gives other people. It can then develop with support from care staff to use some percussion instruments and over time leads to more and more involvement.
Participation in group music sessions includes:
These sessions enrich the lives of our service users and improve their well-being in many ways:
In addition, dancing is recognised as a physical activity that brings the benefits of cardiovascular exercise and improved muscle tone.
Singing also uses different pathways in the brain from speech, so service users who have speech difficulties following a brain injury may find that singing helps them to communicate.
Music enrichment activity at Richardson Care is delivered by professional musicians or singers. They are not registered by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as music therapists and they do not hold a Masters Degree in Music Therapy. However, they are skilled performers with a passion for music and the transformative effect that it has on the emotions and well-being of the people with whom they interact. They are charismatic and engaging, bringing warmth and compassion to their roles.