It’s no secret that one of the hardest hit areas of society during the coronavirus pandemic was the care sector. For much of 2020 and 2021, residential homes were closed to visitors and forced to isolate from the outside world in order to protect their residents.
Musical Moments, a company which provided a range of interactive musical activity sessions mainly in care settings for those living with dementia, had to adapt – like everyone – to a virtual and socially distanced world overnight. But now that doors have opened up again, these community musicians are all warmed up and back with a bang.
Managing Director Maggie Baker is positive for the future. “We’ve branched out into more community groups, additional needs centres, dementia cafés and many other venues wanting to generate some joy and social inclusion,” says Maggie, who joined the company in 2019. “Diversification has been key, and now that care settings and community groups are opening up again, our offering is much broader.”
Musical Moments sessions are fun, energetic, and fully accessible, involving lots of sensory props, movement, and singing – all, of course, to great music. The team has evaluated activities in order to make them Covid-safe for vulnerable groups and individuals, and is ready to adapt to specific setting requirements. These local community musicians can even work one-to-one with people in their own home, and gift vouchers are also available to gift loved ones with a musical experience to enjoy.
Every member of the Musical Moments team is passionate about the therapeutic benefits of music for groups and individuals with physical and mental disabilities, people with dementia and other conditions as well as with care home residents. And after so long apart from loved ones and society, the benefits of a quality, in-person musical session are even more apparent.
“Our activities harness the power of music to stimulate movement, role play activities and reminiscence activities,” says Maggie, recalling the joy of seeing a recent client – a generally non-verbal lady with dementia - able to sing along with the words of a much-loved song. “Music brings such joy and a sense of togetherness for people – something that we all really need after so long in isolation.”
But it’s not just participants who benefit from these activities – they’re also appreciated by carers, staff and family members. The pandemic has reignited public appreciation for those who’ve looked after vulnerable members of society over the last two years, and a Musical Moments session provides some light relief for caring staff. Family members can also spend time with a relative without the pressure of conversation or having to remember things – instead, they can simply enjoy the activities together.
Musical Moments work with consultants including adaptive movement specialists and a Music Therapist who endorse their sessions and ensure they provide the greatest physical and mental health benefits for their clients. All team members have full insurance, safeguarding training, and DBS checks.
Above all, the Musical Moments team cares about bringing joy to the lives of others through music – something that really strikes a chord in a post-pandemic world.
For more information about joining the team or to book a session with Musical Moments, contact hello@musical-moments.co.uk
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