What is Music Therapy?

Music is recognised as having an important role to play for someone with a diagnosis of dementia. It can enable them to express themselves and their feelings in ways which may be increasingly difficult to do verbally. Working and playing together with sounds and music, as opposed to words, can be a powerful way of actively being able to feel connected to others in a way that is both spontaneous, creative and meaningful.

The instruments we use in a music therapy group are accessible to musicians and non- musicians alike, and we have a wide range of musical instruments, percussion and drums which we can play. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to play them, and instead the focus on the act of communicating and responding to each other through the different sounds that we can make.

What happens in a session?

• We can make things up with the instruments at hand as we respond ‘in the moment’ to others around us.
• We can share songs that may have important significance for us.
• We can also sing and dance as well as think about the feelings that the music may bring up for us.
• We have a great deal of freedom in the group, and you can choose to join in as much or as little as you like.

What can music therapy offer?

• A powerful sense of connection with others through a shared experience in the music Relief from feelings of isolation, detachment
  and frustration.
• A safe space in which to explore self-expression and communication.

Where? and When?

• The Music Therapy Group is held at the Dementia Concern Centre, 223 Windmill Road, Ealing W5 4DJ
• The group meets weekly for 16 weeks and each session lasts one and a half hours.
• There are up to 8 people in each group and everyone will have some degree of
  difficulties with memory and words
• The group is run by a music therapist from West London Mental Health Trust

Contact Us

 Enquire about Music Therapy

You can talk to your Link Worker or Dementia
Advisor about the music therapy group or call
the Dementia Concern offices on:
020 8568 4448
We look forward to hearing from you!