An innovative new music therapy programme has arrived at Barley View, supporting residents to get together, play music and unlock memories of the past.
Working together with expert practitioners at Syncora Care, the ‘Klok Wurk Music Rooms’ programme has been adapted to meet the unique needs of people living with advanced dementia and those at risk of social isolation.
To make the sessions possible, Barley View were generously awarded funding from the Power of Music Fund. Made up of charities Music for All, National Academy for Social Prescribing and Music for Dementia, the fund supports people with dementia and their carers through music.
The programme, which kicked-off in early October, offers a mix of 1:1 sessions and group sessions. Residents will get a chance to play percussion instruments, sing together, meditate and listen to music to unlock moments of joy.
Nigel Clegg, who runs the sessions, explained: “Memories are like rooms in the mind; it’s just working out how to access them. Dementia tries to close those doors, but music has the power to keep doors ajar”.
The concept of the mind being made up of rooms which can be accessed by music is where the programme’s name – Klok Wurk Music Rooms – came from.
He continued: “Music gives people the power to access their memories. Those who loved a song in childhood can often bring it back in old age”.
Using music to unlock the past
Studies have shown that music can reduce agitation, improve behavioural issues and provide a way to connect when verbal communication is difficult.
Nige added: “Music instantly takes you back to a place or memory. It’s only fleeting, but seeing residents get that little moment of happiness is worth it”.
The focus will be on residents with advanced dementia and those who are non-verbal; especially men who avoid group activities. The aim is to improve wellbeing, determine cognition and emotions – and most importantly, for residents to have fun together.
Barley View residents won’t be the first to benefit from music sessions either. Nige also delivers music therapy at Acorn Recovery Projects. He helps clients in rehab get stuck into music during their journey towards recovery from addiction.
He said: “I used my story to get people involved and show how music can help. During my time in rehab, picking up a guitar helped get me out of my head sometimes”.
Nige himself re-discovered music during his time in rehab, after spending over 25 years in active addiction. He’s now finishing up his music production course at Spirit Studios and is enjoying delivering his sessions to new audiences.
Finalising his thoughts on music sessions, he concluded: “It’s just fun. Even if people can’t sing – it brings everyone together!”.
