Collaborative Community Music Therapy Sessions Prove to Be a Hit in Taunton

MHA Communities South Somerset initially set up music therapy sessions at the Lisieux Way Methodist Church, but after a conversation between the church and the scheme manager for Tennyson Court, who expressed a desire in creating some sort of activities to get residents engaged, the session on 13th July was held at Tennyson Court, who opened their space to MHA Communities South Somerset.

The session proved to be very successful with 43 people attending. The sessions have been held weekly at Tennyson Court ever since, with 30 people attending each time and some people getting up to dance.

The next session will be held on the 24th August from 2pm to 3pm and just like the other sessions it’s open to the members of the community.

The sessions are led by James Tucker, who works as a music therapist for MHA.

Tara Evans, communities manager for MHA Communities South Somerset said: “We have had some great engagement from the sessions so far and we hope that is the case moving forward.

“Music is so incredibly powerful, and you can see people’s eyes light up when they recognise the songs.

“We recorded some feedback where we asked members how they felt before and after the session and the results were consistently positive.

“Currently our sessions are funded by the Fairfield Charitable Trust and thanks to their support we have been able to run a pilot of music therapy sessions in the community with just one more session remaining, which is on the 24th of August.

“Our plan is to continue and offer more of these sessions and are hoping we can get organisations on board to support us financially. These sessions would not be possible without funding and should be available to people in the community where many would never experience them due to cost.

“The church has been brilliant in offering us the space and support to start the pilot sessions and Michelle, who is the treasurer and lettings secretary, really went above and beyond to support the initiative.

“Working in conjunction with Tennyson Court is great as it helps us to create those community links and reach out to people who need support and I am confident that will continue to happen.”

Michelle Noble, treasurer and lettings secretary for Lisieux Way Methodist Church said: “It has always been the church’s aim to reach out and listen to our community’s needs.

“Networking with MHA Music Therapy has been a joy in which to be involved and to see the impact it makes to individuals’ wellbeing.”

Kelly Pike, scheme manager at Tennyson Court added: “”We are proud to see the significant positive impact Musical Therapy is having on older people.

By reducing isolation, promoting independence, and creating opportunities for meaningful social engagement, we are helping residents live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

The feedback from those we support has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the importance of providing services that enable people to age with dignity, confidence, a strong sense of belonging and keeping connections within the community”