Tag: music therapy

Edinburgh graduate Andrea helps launch music therapy practice

Andrea Jardine, a MSc in Music Therapy student who graduated from Queen Margaret University (QMU) in July, was recognised for her help in setting up a new music therapy practice while she was on placement with the NHS.

Twenty-five-year-old Andrea, who is a self-employed violin teacher in Edinburgh, was presented the Blowing the Music Therapy Trumpet! Award by QMU – the only university in Scotland to offer a music therapy course.

While on placement at NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Andrea helped set up a music therapy practice – the first in the region for over a decade!

Andrea, said: “In our final year on the MSc Music Therapy course, we were able to experience setting up a music therapy practice in places that haven’t had such a service before.

“It was nerve-wracking being the only music therapist in the hospital at the time, but it was a great opportunity to create more awareness of the work we do, alongside a variety of other professionals – from occupational therapists and nurses, to psychiatrists.

“I was able to work in a variety of settings with a wide range of patients of different ages and with different needs, witnessing just how much music can help improve a person’s health and well-being. I learned to work autonomously while also working as part of a wider team, and it was great to learn how to manage referrals and a caseload of my own clients.

“My final year placement was a truly special experience. I hope that by doing my placement there, it has paved the way for art therapies to be introduced to Dumfries and Galloway. It would be wonderful if music therapy could become a permanent service in the region!’’

A passionate advocate for art therapies and its potential to help with rehabilitation, Andrea is also a Trustee for the Scottish Music Therapy Trust, and one day hopes to run her own music therapy practice, working with neurodivergent children or adults with dementia.

Andrea, said: “The academic staff and lecturers at QMU have been the absolute highlight of my university experience. I initially had applied to a music therapy course in England for a change of scene – given I have lived in Scotland my whole life – but after visiting QMU for the first time, I quickly changed my mind.

“The support and guidance that I’ve experienced at QMU couldn’t have been replicated at any other university, particularly as I am neurodivergent myself. I loved the benefit of working with the art and drama therapy students at QMU, exchanging knowledge and ideas, and the smaller cohort size was a huge plus.”

On the day of Andrea’s graduation from QMU, she celebrated with her family and classmates at an impressive ceremony held in Edinburgh’s beautiful Usher Hall, attended by QMU’s Chancellor and TV presenter Dame Prue Leith CBE. Andrea was one of 1300 students who graduated in person from Queen Margaret University across three ceremonies in July. 

Dr Philippa Derrington, a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of the MSc in Music Therapy within the Division of Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies at QMU, said: “Introducing music therapy to a new setting is an important part of students’ preparation for practice, and the final year students do this so well, year on year, often leading to further employment opportunities.

“Well done Andrea on winning this award – I look forward to hearing where your career takes you next!” 

Specsavers strikes a chord with music therapy charity partnership

Callum Beattie meets music therapy participant supported by £50,000 Specsavers donation ahead of Scottish Music Awards

SPECSAVERS has named music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins, as its official charity partner for Scotland.

The high street opticians and audiologists has made a £50,000 donation to bolster the charity’s services across Scotland. Their work has pioneered music therapy for the past 60 years, harnessing the power of music to help break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation.

Laura Baird, a Specsavers store director, says: ‘Nordoff and Robbins helps people connect through their senses, which closely reflects the work we do at Specsavers.

‘We are delighted to make this donation to the charity, knowing that it will directly help people all across Scotland who depend on music therapy to enhance their quality of life.’

Laura, along with Scots singer-songwriter and charity ambassador Callum Beattie, attended a music therapy session to learn first-hand how Specsavers’ donation will help Nordoff and Robbins support its Scottish clients.

The session took place at St. Andrews Hospice in Airdrie with Frank Fennessey who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013. Frank has enjoyed playing the bass guitar throughout his life and is able to continue doing so with support from a Nordoff and Robbins music therapist.

Callum, who released his second album ‘Vandals’ earlier this year, says: ‘Music helps me express emotions and thoughts that I sometimes find hard to put to words. Playing together with Frank during our session was so special. I could see his face light up and confidence soar.

‘Music is incredible for self-expression and allows people to connect, even when words fail. The donation from Specsavers will allow people like Frank to continue to benefit from music therapy sessions right across Scotland.’

Frank has been attending music therapy sessions for five years since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He says: ‘I bought my first bass guitar when I was 15-years-old, having been a huge rock and roll fan.

“I played in local bands my whole life. After I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s I didn’t play for a few years until I started my Nordoff and Robbins’ music therapy sessions at St. Andrews Hospice. 

‘My music therapist really takes her time with me, showing me how to adapt and play at a pace that I can manage. I’m back to playing every day and my music therapy sessions are something I look forward to every week.’

Sally Fennessey, Frank’s wife, is looking forward to celebrating 44 years of marriage this year. She says: ‘The music therapy sessions have made a huge difference to Frank. It gives him something to focus on and a chance to socialise with others.

“It’s also a huge confidence boost. I’ve never been so happy to hear him play Led Zeppelin in the spare room at home.’

Laura, who is the store director at Specsavers Wishaw, adds: ‘It’s great being able to see the joy music therapy is bringing to the people who need it in our local community, right here in North Lanarkshire.‘

Specsavers’ donation will support a range of endeavors, from the acquisition of new instruments, to the training of new music therapists, to better facilitate Nordoff and Robbins’ work with people throughout Scotland who use its services.

The charity’s work can be transformative for a wide range of people, from an adult with dementia reconnecting with family to a neurodivergent child expressing themselves through music.

Sandy Trappitt, deputy director of fundraising at Nordoff and Robbins, says: ‘We are hugely appreciative for the charitable donation from Specsavers.

“The much-needed cash boost will positively impact our service offering across Scotland, helping ensure that everyone who could benefit from music therapy does.

‘Music therapy allows people to express themselves and share a connection and we hear daily from clients and families about the incredible benefits it provides. Music is a universal language which everyone deserves to enjoy.’

Specsavers’ optical and audiology expertise can be easily accessed throughout Scotland at its 80 locally-owned stores. Those unable to attend a Specsavers store unaccompanied can receive the same eye care at home via its Home Visits service. Specsavers Home Visits covers more than 90% of the UK.

For more information on Specsavers, please visit www.specsavers.co.uk

Dad runs two marathons in two months for charity that helped his daughter communicate again

Robin Gibson from Edinburgh, has signed up to take on the Brighton Marathon and London Marathon over the next two months to raise money for The Children’s Trust. Robin was inspired to take on the challenge after his daughter, Floss, received brain injury rehabilitation at the charity’s specialist centre.

In May 2019, Floss was celebrating her 17th birthday in her hometown of Barnard Castle when she was a passenger in a high-speed car accident.

Floss suffered a devastating brain injury which put her in a coma for a month and with limited awareness of the world around her for nearly a year. Prior to the accident, Floss was a fit and healthy A-level student and keen rugby player working towards a career as a lawyer. The accident left her with a severe brain injury, unable to walk, communicate or feed herself.

Nine months after her brain injury, aged 18, Floss moved to The Children’s Trust in Surrey where she received a combination of intensive physio, speech and language, occupational therapy, aquatics, play therapy and music therapy to try and relearn the skills she had lost.

Floss also attended The Children’s Trust School, a non-maintained special school supporting children and young people aged 2-19 with a wide range of needs.

Robin said: “With the first week of focused rehabilitation, my daughter showed responses not seen before and, three months later, she was clinically declared conscious and on the road to recovery.

“In the following nine months, The Children’s Trust helped my daughter to start to communicate, start to look after herself, make her first steps in trying to eat and even put her back on her feet with a few tentative and supported steps. Most importantly, The Children’s Trust gave my daughter her smile back.”

Robin has already reached his target of £3000 and now aims to continue his fundraising efforts and raise the bar even further.

He added: “I’m very excited to take on this challenge and raise vital funds for a charity that has given our family so much. We’ll be forever grateful for how the staff helped Floss with her recovery and I’m pleased we can give back in some way.”

If you would like to take on a challenge in aid of The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury, visit: 

https://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/events

To donate to Robin’s Just Giving page, visit: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robin-gibson3