What is Music Enrichment?

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:

• Weekly visits from ‘Martin the Music Man’ who plays guitar, ukulele and brings a variety of percussion instruments for people to play. His huge repertoire, along with some special favourites, means that there is always something for everyone to enjoy.
• Monthly visits from ‘Simon the Sax’ who plays tunes from the 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s on his saxophone during an afternoon tea party.
• Singing coaching according to individual needs by a professional singer and coach
• Karaoke and disco sessions in the homes
• Care Workers within the homes support service users during all activities

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:

• Watching
• Listening
• Clapping
• Dancing/’chair dancing’
• Singing
• Playing instruments

These sessions enrich the lives of our service users and improve their well-being in many ways:

• Stir positive emotions – happiness, joy, calmness
• Encourage participation and engagement
• Improve social interaction
• Increase confidence and self-esteem
• Can help develop concentration skills
• Depending on the specific song or tune, they can trigger memories and support reminiscing

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.

How music enrichment activity differs from music therapy

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.