Power of Music
Music for Dementia and UK Music have joined forces to publish a new report which outlines a blueprint to use music to help improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, and includes a series of ambitious but achievable recommendations.
The Power of Music report was created to amplify how music can be used to improve the lives of those dealing with illnesses such as dementia, depression, loneliness and other debilitating conditions at a time when health and social care services are under unprecedented pressure.
Obviously a cause very close to our hearts, we join them in asking the Government to work with the health, care, music, philanthropy and third sectors to invest in and capitalise on the positive changes the power of music can deliver.
“The report demonstrates the incredible power of music for every age group. From increasing academic achievement, cognitive functioning and dopamine release to decreasing anxiety, blood pressure and symptoms of disease, its transformative effects are astonishing.”
- Louise Goulden, Founder and CEO of The Together Project
For everyone, music can help
lift our mood, calm us down and
bring us together
Music has an incredible effect on both our heads and our hearts at whatever stage of life’s journey we’re at. For the very young, listening to music and learning the words to songs helps our brains grow and develop. For older people, particularly those living with dementia, familiar songs from times gone by often remain in our brains long after more recent memories have faded, and the act of recalling them can bring powerful, positive effects.
We know by combining music and movement with the presence of young children, our Songs & Smiles sessions can have a magical, transformative effect on older people living in care homes - reducing loneliness and isolation, lifting mood and even improving cognitive and motor skills.
From instruments and action songs to colourful scarves and bubbles, our expert-designed sessions engage the youngest through to the oldest members of our group.
”The Power of Music report champions music as a force for good and sets out some much-needed recommendations for embedding it into our communities.
Our Songs & Smiles groups are an example of how this can work in practice and the ways in which lives are enriched through participation. After a difficult couple of years due to the pandemic, we are looking forward to extending our reach across the country again, bringing older and younger people together through the power of music and friendship.”
- Louise Goulden, Founder and CEO of The Together Project
Help spread the word
“One of our biggest challenges is that people still don’t know about the power of music, but we could begin to change that”
- Music for Dementia Campaign Director, Grace Meadows
We’ve seen first-hand the positive changes and transformative effects the power of music can deliver, so we are committed to help spread the word.
If you want to join the debate about the Power of Music report, please download, read and share the report with your family, friends and colleagues (or use it as a conversation starter with complete strangers) using #powerofmusic