Songbirds Music UK is a community interest company (CIC) delivering high quality specialised music projects and training in health, disability and community settings for children, young people and families affected by medical conditions, hospitalisation and disability.
“I am 100% convinced of the impact that you have in improving recovery for children, young people and their families. Thank you all very much for your amazing input to our hospital.”
– Jane Valente, Medical Director, Deputy Chief Executive at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
Our work builds on an established track record…
of delivering high quality, long term embedded live music practice within hospital settings supported by research and evaluation.
We work closely with hospital and healthcare staff…
to improve the clinical environment, reduce stress and anxiety, and support staff wellbeing through music-making.
We advocate for the importance of music…
in the lives of children, families, hospital and healthcare staff to address the challenges of complex healthcare needs, disability and long-term hospitalisation.
“…he was away in his mind until he heard your music. We recognised he enjoyed [it]...Your fantastic amazing concert specially for him.”
– Mum and Dad, High Dependency Unit at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
Our Work with Children & Families
We work in close partnership with stakeholders, healthcare staff and families to deliver high quality best practice music programmes, therapeutic listening resources and training which enrich, enhance and improve the lives of children experiencing hospitalisation and complex disability across the northwest of England.
We’re proud that our work has received national and international recognition in publications, conferences and winning awards in the Building Better Healthcare Awards 2018 (Collaborative Arts Project – Performance Category) and NHS in the North Excellence in Supply Awards 2018 (Patient Experience Category).
“proven to have effect on cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological symptoms…especially enhancing for children who cannot communicate verbally - an outstanding winner…”
- Judges' feedback, Building Better Healthcare Awards
Our Training Programmes
We work across music, health and disability sectors, increasing knowledge, skills and collaboration.
Musicians - we train and mentor music students and new music leaders to build their skills to work in hospitals and special schools.
Medical students - we train medical students to help develop new communication and creative skills through music making in hospital.
Nurses - we deliver music training in nursing simulation suites, devise programmes and resources to support staff resilience and wellbeing in the workplace and develop skills in music and communication.
Our bespoke training programmes can be flexibly designed to fit with your organisation’s needs. Please contact Kate Catling, Programme Manager at songbirdsmusicuk@gmail.com if you would like to know more.
“Even a short amount of time when people are allowed to catch a breath and find a moment of peace makes a big difference…unlike anything I’ve done before in 6 years of medical training. We spend a lot of time learning and regurgitating facts and figures, and diseases and drugs, but to spend time with patients and looking after them in a more holistic way by providing music and activity has been truly eye-opening.”
— Sam, medical student
Our music and videos
We make music with children and young people. We compose and record music as a wellbeing resource for staff, children and families which can be found on our Soundcloud and Vimeo pages. We’re very proud to have supported CardMedic during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a selection of our therapeutic music tracks featured on the innovative app designed to improve communication between healthcare staff and patients, across any barrier – whether that’s visual, hearing or cognitive impairment, a language barrier, or PPE (personal protective equipment).
“Thanks again for your help, we’re extremely grateful for the expertise coming forward!”
Dr Rachael Grimaldi, BM BSc (Hons) FRCA
www.cardmedic.com
Our Awards
Our Partners
