1 minute read
How We Work
Our team at Chiltern is ever evolving. In 2019, we made the decision to become a self-managing organisation and in 2021 we became fully employee owned, welcoming our new Board of Directors and Membership Council. Chiltern continues to operate within a circle structure, each ‘circle’ representing a different department responsible for a specific area of the organisation. All staff members sit within a hub or virtual ‘home’ within Chiltern, using this space to connect with regionally based peers, discuss caseloads and share key thoughts/feedback with the organisation. Each of our team members continues to bring a wealth of experience and energy, driving every part of our work and organisation forward.
Our current organisational structure
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Human Story: Maureen
Maureen (not her real name) is in her 80s and is living with dementia in a care home. She often experiences anxiety and can be reluctant to leave her room to take part in activities. When Maureen first started coming to the music therapy group, she was uncertain and needed support and encouragement from staff to attend the session. Talking to her Music Therapist, Becky, Maureen was disparaging about her own musical abilities, recalling unkind comments that a family member had made about her singing. However, she soon demonstrated that she had a beautiful singing voice as she joined in with every song that the group chose. Other group members complimented her singing.
The sessions included group improvisation on percussion instruments. In early sessions, when the Music Therapist, Becky offered Maureen an instrument, she would decline. Becky had a sense that Maureen was scared of “getting it wrong”. Maureen always joined in by clapping along to the rhythm, and as time went on she grew in confidence. She began to play smaller instruments and gradually moved on to larger ones. Staff reported that Maureen’s increased confidence transferred to other areas of her life as she was more willing to leave her room, join in with activities, and interact with other residents.
