Transforming experiences of healthcare and hospital for children and young people with complex needs

March News!

REACHING FURTHER TOGETHER

Welcome to our March newsletter - a busy time of year for us, with 5 training programmes underway. We were delighted to welcome Zoe Kilb from Youth Music to visit our programme this month. It was great to have her with us for the day, and for her to see a snapshot of the work we are doing at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. 4 of our Youth Music funded musicians joined the day and delivered sessions on wards to children and families. In the afternoon, Zoe observed with Juliet as we visited Paediatric Critical Care units to take music to the bedsides of children and families in PICU and PHDU. Zoe was also able to meet staff from the Play and Youth teams who we work so closely with to reach children and young people across the hospital. Our UG3 undergraduate students have been busy developing their skills to deliver activities in the hospital atrium, and also joined us for our weekly remote music session with one of our long standing families. Read on to find out more!

Ros, Mark, Juliet and Gloria

Lead Musicians, Co-Founders, Co-Directors and Project Support,

Songbirds Music UK

This Month’s Focus

• Reaching Further Remotely

• RNCM Placement Module

• Youth Worker’s Perspective

A Shout-Out to Our Subscribers!
Before diving into the content, we want to celebrate a special milestone — Songbirds has reached 101 newsletter subscribers! Every single one of you helps us grow this community and supports our mission to bring meaningful music into healthcare and community settings. Thank you for being part of our journey, we can’t wait to share more stories, projects, and inspiration with you!

Below: Jodie and Hannah in RMCH

Reaching Further Remotely

Our Online Sessions

We have a series of online sessions which are quite different from any other sessions we do. Let’s hear from our Young Creator Musicians, Charlie Roberts and Hannah Borlase, about their experiences after delivering online sessions under our Associate Musician, Rosie Rutherford.

Charlie:
“An online session brings music to young people from a distance. Rosie (one of our musicians) leads the session which we plan beforehand. We based sessions around the young people’s favourite books. We begin with a Hello song, read a few pages, and use our instruments to make sound effects for each character. We then introduce our own instruments and play a short piece. Both young people had props or small instruments, so we do a song they join in with before finishing with a goodbye song.

One main difference from in-person sessions is looking for cues that they are enjoying the music. One young person in particular would make eye movements when happy, so we focused on subtle signs of interaction.”

Hannah:

“My experience included meeting a boy regularly online. We used one of his favourite books to guide our music, doing a chapter each session. It was very different to hospital work, being online with one young person. I also learnt about engaging with people who are non-verbal. I enjoyed exploring ways to connect across a screen, learning from Rosie, and making sound effects to accompany the book.”

A Medical Student’s Perspective

Ros and Mark have worked with Ciaran for over 7 years and have built up a strong relationship with him and his family — so much so that mum welcomes any guests to join the session and learn from watching Ros and Mark engage with Ciaran. Ciaran in turn enjoys meeting new people who celebrate his love of music. This month Ros and Mark have been joined by medical students studying on the QEPEP module in music and medicine. Student Sarah reflected:

“It was a pleasure to join the session with Ciaran. I went in unsure what to expect but came away completely joyful. It was clear how much happiness the session gave him; he danced even when the music stopped and responded to the different visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli.

It was completely different to anything in my medical training and reminded me to think of patients holistically. Non-medical interventions like music and dance clearly benefit patients, and I am sure also their families.”

 Below: our small percussion desk

RNCM Placement Module

Class of 2026

Our students came together through the RNCM UG3 Placement Module to explore making music in children’s hospital settings. The module supports third-year students in developing the skills, awareness, and sensitivity needed for this work, while encouraging reflection on the role of music in healthcare.

Below are reflections shared by UG3 students:

“Annie reflects: ‘As someone who is interested in going into music therapy, this experience has been really beneficial as a starting point. I have gained new experiences in working with young people and in medical settings, and it has confirmed my passion for this sort of work.’

Alexandra shares: ‘I found this experience quite rewarding, going into the hospital, and I’ve really enjoyed it.’

Isabella notes: ‘It’s been really refreshing to have a new approach to making music, reminding us all that it’s so much more than perfecting music — it’s music for pure enjoyment.’

This year, we worked with Songbirds UK. Ros and Mark introduced us to music in healthcare settings, providing an approachable and inspiring learning experience. For many of us, this was our first time in such environments and a valuable form of outreach.

We took part in both online and in-person sessions. Observing a weekly online session with Ciaran was a highlight, showing the importance of responding to individual engagement, offering choice, and following the child’s lead.

Hospital visits helped us develop improvisation, adaptability, and communication skills through activities including soundscapes, percussive games, and ensemble improvisation. Learning by ear—through songs such as Tu La and the Sunshine Song—was especially refreshing.

Siying found the experience helpful for ‘gaining ideas about improvising and listening to others.’ We also created music for adults; one memorable moment was joining in when someone began singing ‘A Horse with No Name.’

Lewis describes the experience as ‘eye-opening […] getting a feel for new music settings and a fun learning experience.’

Through this placement, we have developed not only musical skills, but also empathy, responsiveness, and a deeper understanding of music’s role in wellbeing.”

Below: Students discussing during our UG3 placement session.

Youth Worker’s Perspective:

From Molly Bradley

At Songbirds, our youth club sessions bring together a wide range of musical activities—from improvisation, singing, and jamming to co-writing, instrument exploration, and informal musical conversations. This flexible and inclusive approach allows each young person to engage in their own way, building confidence, creativity, and a sense of connection. Senior Youth Worker Molly Bradley shares her reflections on the impact of these sessions:

"Songbirds bring something truly special to our inpatient youth club. Their music sessions lift the mood, spark creativity and give young people a chance to express themselves in ways words often can’t.

Each session they attend, they create a safe, welcoming space where young people can explore rhythm, voice, and sound, building confidence without pressure or expectation.

We have seen young people who don't usually speak up during sessions become more confident in themselves through the art of music, with one young person even performing a song for the group.

For our sensory groups, Songbirds have opened the door to the soothing, therapeutic side of music. Young people with complex needs have been able to feel the vibrations, engage with gentle sounds and try instruments at their own pace.

During one of these sessions, we got to see a young man actively move his hand to play a drum beat, something he has been working incredibly hard with during physiotherapy sessions, this was a truly magical moment. These moments of calm, joy and connection are rare — and they matter.

Songbirds make it possible for every young person, regardless of ability, to participate, feel included and experience the simple happiness of making music together."

Molly Bradley (She/Her) Senior Youth Worker – Respiratory, MFT Youth Service

Below: group picture of Songbirds musicians with staff from Therapeutic and Specialised Play Services and MFT Youth Service

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