Music, Memory & Me
Royal Free Hospital, University College London Hospital & the Guildhall School of Music
Music, Memory and Me was a collaboration between University College London Hopspital, Royal Free Hospital and the Guildhall School that aimed to build a better and more compassionate attitude towards elderly hospital patients through the sharing of songs and music.
I was the project manager, lead facilitator and tutor for the incredible project which worked with UCLH and RFH staff to more effectively support elderly patients and those with dementia, whilst offering a unique opportunity for Guildhall students to use their training in a hospital setting.
Music, Memory and Me won the Better Healthcare Award for Best Collaborative Arts Project (Performance) in 2017.
Each session was different, with a mix of individual and bedside work, whole-bay music-making and longer sessions in communal day rooms. There was a strong focus on participation and ownership as patients were invited to choose songs, sing and play hand percussion. Social isolation was broken down as patients talk to their neighbours, while family and staff are also invited to get involved.
The project uses a variety of tools to collect feedback, including specially devised forms for both patients and staff, as well as reflections and observations from the students. Case studies of particular patients are built up with the assistance of staff to help inform the development of the project.
Unfortunately, the pandemic meant that were no longer able to access patients on the wards. I deeply hope that in the future, this work can be re-installed in the hospital wards where it is so desperately needed.
You can listen to a radio interview that I did about the project here:
