Raising Vital Funds

From August 2022 to March 2023, fundraising remained a key focus for Chiltern Music Therapy. Due to the cost of living challenges, the competition for funding has increased substantially however we successfully secured a number of grants. These include:

• The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Living Well with Dementia Grant Fund

• Mobbs Memorial Trust

• Heart of Bucks General Fund

• Postcode Society Trust

• Buckinghamshire County Council Community Prevention Fund 2023

• Rothschild Strategic Fund

These grants, combined with the support of our corporate and individual donors, enabled us to expand our reach and provide transformative music therapy experiences to those in need. Conversations with, and support from individuals and organisations have flourished during this period. We continued to explore our connection and some future developments with Yamaha in the UK and in Europe, supporting them with content creation, and also began an exciting partnership with Dolby and with Ableton. We have also spoken to Jazz FM, Pioneer and Sonos and will continue to build these relationships in the year ahead.

In March 2023 Chiltern was also lucky enough to be chosen as Charity of the Year by Waddesdon Manor. This means that the team at Waddesdon Manor will support us across the next year through a variety of fundraising and profile raising events, as well as providing us with a generous financial donation. We are really excited to have their support and to be working together.

Our fundraising efforts also involved community events, online campaigns, and corporate sponsorships, which raised funds and increased awareness. We are grateful for the trust and investment in our organisation, and we remain committed to securing sustainable funding for our mission of enhancing lives through music therapy.

Human Story: Harry

Our Music Therapist, Fliss, began sessions with 5 year old Harry (not his real name) last September. Harry was referred to music therapy in his SEN school as he wasn’t interacting with anyone in his class or the teachers. He only seemed happy when he was playing on an iPad or phone. He spent a lot of time finding adults to give him access to the technology and would become very distressed if he didn’t get what he wanted. The teachers thought he was trying to get attention, and due to his lack of communication, it was very difficult to work out what he wanted or needed.

During the first few sessions with Fliss, Harry could only manage 10 minutes of music therapy. He stood with his coat on by the door or far wall, watching Fliss as she played the guitar and sang to him. He remained silent and didn’t attempt to play any instruments.

Fast forward to the end of the term and Harry was making so much progress. He started coming closer to Fliss and peeking into the instrument box. During one session, he went up to Fliss, removed her guitar and sat on her knee, putting the guitar around them both and gently strumming. This, it turns out, was the start of something new for Harry. He had a whole new level of confidence and now communicates in so many ways.

He is vocalising, laughing, leading Fliss’ hands and playing instruments. The sessions, once only 10 minutes, now last for over 30 minutes.

Fliss says of their session:

“Music therapy has given Harry the confidence to connect and build a relationship with another person, explore his surroundings safely and get enjoyment from a shared activity. He is appearing more explorative and happy in the classroom and the staff have commented how communicative he is becoming.”