A music therapist in dementia working for West London NHS Trust says weekly music therapy groups being run in Southall is helping people in advanced stages of dementia to be able to connect.
David Nicholson runs the sessions at The Limes in Southall and revealed how the impact of music helps people engage with the support being offered.
He said they: “have been able to work meaningfully with service users who have very limited cognitive functioning, something which can often prevent them from being able to fully engage in groups that are more verbally based.”
The sessions can be very loud at times which has many benefits.
Mr Nicholson added: “The groups can often be quite lively and loud, and the emotional stimulation and connection that service users experience can give them an important sense of connecting with each other through the experience of a shared musical experience.”
The groups are supported by a team alongside Mr Nicolson who include Brightmore Mukutirwa, The Limes manager, Tim Wright, an arts therapies department manager and Steph Moran, activities co-ordinator at The Limes.
Staff and service users share their musical output which he says provides: “many special moments where a real sense of shared community emerges amongst both staff and patients.”
