Caring Through Music
Our partnership with world-leading dementia experts and researchers means we deliver our work with consistent success.
We have created an evaluation toolkit for commissioners.
Evaluation survey for UKRi funded Music in Mind Music Champions programme development 2022 – 2024, featuring a toolkit on evaluation for programme commissioners and stakeholders delivering a music therapy based programme for people living with dementia.
We established Music in Mind to help with a growing need.
There are currently around 900,000 people with dementia in the UK, costing £36.7 billion in care. By 2040 these figures are expected to rise to 1.6 million people and £94.1 billion.
Music therapy reduces the need for medication in 67% of people with dementia, so there is huge potential for Music in Mind to both improve the wellbeing of people living with dementia and reduce the costs associated with managing its symptoms.
We have consistent results and proven longer term impacts.
When evaluated, 90% of our music session participants experienced increased communication and decreased anxiety, frustration and agitation. They also benefited from the following results:
- increased social interaction with other residents (100%)
- increased activity levels outside Music in Mind sessions (77%)
- a greater sense of wellbeing (100%)
- increased musical interaction and confidence to express oneself musically (88%).
We continue to gather evaluations and feedback at every music session to ensure consistent performance.
We believe everyone deserves access to this life changing care.
Since 2012, Music in Mind has reached people across 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, the North East & North West of England, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
With the programme designed to flex to any environment, we have been able to provide care and support in community groups, supported living, care homes and day centres, including in underserved communities and areas of economic deprivation. As our Music Champions community continues to grow, we hope to fund this inclusive work across the UK and beyond.
NIHR SSCR Music in Mind Study Paper Published.
In the UK, care home staff are often involved in musical practices as part of their professional activities. However, to date there is a lack of relational evidence that underpins improvisational music-making programmes in care homes, as related to the wellbeing of care home staff and musicians who deliver such work. This process evaluation accesses Manchester Camerata’s 20-week ‘Music in Mind Training’ programme for care home staff working with people living with dementia in care homes, with a focus on care home staff.
The results of our 2022-2024 Evaluation were delivered.
The Music in Mind programme stands out for its innovative approach to dementia care. By integrating music therapy-based sessions into the care routines of PLWD, the programme addresses both emotional and social needs, which are often overlooked in traditional care settings. Key aspects of its significance are therapeutic benefits; empowerment of staff through training; creating an evidence-based impact; explore programme scalability and replication; as well as provide information and support for future commissioning.
Music in Mind
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Frequently Asked Questions
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1.
Do I have to be a professional carer to become a Music Champion?
No. The Music Champions programme is designed to support anyone who has caring responsibilities for people living with dementia, so you could be a carer working in a care home, or a family carer or volunteer supporting people with dementia in the community.
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2.
Where does the training take place?
You will be supported through face-to-face music sessions from our music therapists and musicians in your care home or community group, as well as receiving online support with other Music Champions so we can share our experiences and learn from each other.
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3.
What happens if I can’t make one of the training and support sessions?
We will ask you to take part in as many of your scheduled face-to-face and online sessions as you can, but appreciate that you may need flexibility due to your job or other commitments. Our online training sessions are also recorded so you can watch them at a later date.
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4.
I have no musical talent, does that matter?
You do not need to have any previous musical training or experience to become a Music Champion. You will learn how to use handheld percussion instruments and music tracks so you can find new ways to help people with dementia to take part in music sessions.
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