As we are continually adapting to the current climate, we are exploring new strands of delivering our services. Interactive music therapy sessions have obvious limitations when offered over Zoom. But the process of learning and developing skills on an instrument can still offer a meaningful and purposeful creative activity - to those able to access this form of musical interaction - making the most of a time where connection is that much more difficult.
To that end, we are piloting our new initiative ‘Accessible Music Learning’. Here we can still meet the needs of people with diverse learning abilities, but through the process of learning an instrument. Whilst this provision is not music therapy, it is run by HCPC-registered music therapists who have expertise, whatever the disability or life circumstance of those they work with, in engaging them musically and enabling the best musical and personal outcome for them. Through applying their skills, working flexibly and empathically, our therapists can enable effective musical learning for people who may find traditional music learning methods less accessible.
Initially sessions will be offered free of charge, up to 8 in total, after which there will be a small charge per 30 minute session. There would be no contract or requirement to continue after the free trial period. These sessions will be on Zoom to begin with, but could develop into face-to-face sessions in future, Covid-19 dependent.
This particular provision would most benefit people with:
· capacity to stay focused on an activity (online) for 30 minutes.
· enough understanding of speech to work with the therapist’s instruction even if they themselves have limited speech
· an instrument they are interested in available to them in their home (or voice!)
(There may be scope for Nordoff Robbins to provide certain instruments in some cases, so please don’t let this be a barrier to enquiring in the first instance.)
For more information or for anyone wanting to refer themselves or someone they know, please click visit our website (link below).