Hospital of music 2025 - 2028
Bringing Music to the Heart of RNCH
Developing ability, building skills
About the Project
Hospital of Music is a three-year project developing music making opportunities for children and young people at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. Funded by Youth Music and delivered in partnership with MFT Youth and Therapeutic Play Services.
At its heart, the project celebrates collaboration, imagination, and growth — offering young people at RMCH the chance to develop their musical voices and build confidence through shared music-making.
Young Creator Musicians, Songbirds Young Associates, and young people collaborate to explore, compose, and perform music in hospital spaces
The Songbirds team and MFT Youth Service work side by side, gaining new skills and confidence through creative training sessions
Together, they co-design music sessions for children and families in hospital environments — making music an open, joyful part of daily life
Participants plan and deliver hospital music festivals in year1&2 and share their experiences through conference sessions in year 3
A youth stakeholder group from the MFT Youth Service guides and shapes the direction of the project, ensuring young voices lead the way
WHO’S INVOLVED?
Ros and Mark
– Lead Musicians and Co-founders/Directors of Songbirds Music UK.
4 Songbirds Young Associate Musicians
– Contributing to around 20 sessions each year.
4 Young Creator Musicians
– Emerging artists developing creative and leadership skills through regular sessions.
8 Members of the MFT Youth Service
– Young people collaborating to shape and deliver music sessions.– young people collaborating to shape and deliver music sessions
Play and Youth Staff
– introducing and supporting young participants through the project
2 Advisor Families
– receiving remote music sessions with a Songbirds Associate and trainees
Throughout the year, Hospital of Music offers an exciting mix of training, creativity, and collaboration.
What’s Happening
Team Training Days
– Building connections and exploring how music supports children and families in hospitals.
Creative Music Sessions
– Musicians and young people co-create and lead sessions on wards,
in the Teen Zone, and in the hospital atrium.
Festival Days
– Celebrating music and community through hospital-based music festivals.
Conference Presentations
– Designing and leading sessions that share learning and
impact.
Listening and Evaluation Sessions
– Young people and musicians reflect on their experiences as part of the project’s stakeholder group.
What people say
"Happy because I did my part"
"Making people happy"
"Playing instruments with others"
"An opportunity to have fun"
"Helping others"
"Playing all together"
— Young people
“There are few moments in life where you know this is it — this is what I’m meant to be doing. This is where I want to be.”
— Musician trainee, Youth Music programme
