Looking Ahead

We are looking forward to the year ahead. The profile of music therapy as an impactful and effective intervention continues to grow and we are excited about all of the opportunities that this offers.

At the same time, Chiltern, like many organisations, continues to face challenges from the continued increase in costs, which affects not only our expenses but, of course, also has an impact on the clients and services with whom we work. As a not-for-profit organisation, we know the importance of focusing on remaining financially sustainable, growing, and innovating through our networks, while maintaining inclusivity at the heart of everything we do.

Here are a few of the things we are particularly looking forward to in the coming year:

• The launch of our Music for Mental Health fundraising appeal focussing on raising money to fund access to music therapy specifically for Children and Young People.

• The launch of a new Neurologic Music Therapy service at Moor Green Hospital in Birmingham.

• Starting a new Neurologic Music Therapy pilot with Salford Hospital

• Increasing the number of music therapy hubs across the geographic areas we work in.

• Building relationships with our corporate partners to help us raise awareness of the impact of music therapy.

• Acting on our Net Zero targets led by our Environmental and Sustainability Lead.

• Continuing to support our existing and new clients at the centre of everything we do and the reason that Chiltern exists.

Human Story: Richard

Richard (not his real hame) has Down’s Syndrome and experienced early developmental trauma. Richard has high anxiety levels, which affect his ability to manage and express his emotions and behaviour, and sometimes results in periods of being excluded from his Secondary SEN School in the south of England.

In late 2020, Richard began working with our Music Therapist, Gabrielle. He was initially reluctant to even come into the music therapy room, but gradually began to develop a trusting relationship with her. This enabled him to come into the room and begin to engage, if only fleetingly at first.

Through the therapy sessions, he has been able to safely explore his emotions and emotional responses, and work on communication and social skills. And most importantly, it provided opportunities for him to feel positive about his achievements and begin to develop a stronger sense of self.

Changes in Richard’s family circumstances and the subsequent impact on his behaviour within school meant that sustaining this level of interaction became challenging for him. So the focus for the therapy evolved and instead offered him the opportunity to have consistent and reliable emotional support. Gabrielle felt it was important that whilst many other areas of his life were uncertain, he still had the opportunity to maintain the relationship with the Music Therapist as well as key school staff. Richard really seemed to value this andand he often expressed that he was looking forward to seeing the therapist when arriving at school on his music therapy day.

Through support from school and therapy sessions, Richard has been able to integrate back into the school community and is hoping soon to be able to stay in school for the whole day, every day.