We just wanted to say a very big ‘thank you’ to everyone who took part  in the Wirral Grammar School for Girls concert on April 24th.  As last year, it was a wonderful evening of music in a beautiful setting and it was obvious how much everyone enjoyed the concert, both the performers and the audience.

We are very grateful that Wirral Grammar School for Girls once again chose to raise funds for MusicPlace . Everyone was very generous and the retiring collection came to £343.80, which is fantastic.

Exciting news!

Jennifer Davies, a Liverpool based Singer–Songwriter is going to run 26.2 miles in the Liverpool  Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on 14^th June and is very kindly doing it on behalf of MusicPlace North-West. She is raising much needed funds for our Stroke Project at Aintree University hospital. We are very grateful to Jenn and wish her all the very best in her training, which we know will be very hard work! Many thanks also to all her supporters who have already started to give generously.

Go Jenn!!

If you would like to know more or want to make a donation please go to https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jenniferdaviesmusic

We were delighted last year when we received Lottery Funding to provide Music Therapy sessions for one day a week for a year at Stocks Hall Nursing Home in Ormskirk.

Residents are offered an opportunity to take part in weekly sessions aiming to draw the individual or group into communication through music, using improvised music or known songs. The power of music, especially singing, to unlock memories and help stimulate memory can make a significant difference in helping reduce the isolation, anxiety and depression that can be part of dementia and older age. Our connection to music can transport us back to our childhoods, or special moments in our lives, promoting memory and alleviating depression. When we listen to music we enjoy, the brain releases endorphins which can provide an uplifting effect. Listening to music, singing, playing instruments and moving to music can all improve the quality of life and social interaction of elderly people in nursing or palliative care.

Many elderly people living in care homes describe a feeling of having lost a sense of themselves or feeling as if they have no voice. Music therapy can combat feelings of powerlessness and offer an outlet for creativity and communication.
Gel Ball, Manager said “fun activities are a vital part of life and the addition of Music Therapy added to the tailored activities run at our home, allows us to encompass every aspect of wellbeing to ensure individual health and care needs are continually met. Music unites people like no language can’

The Music Therapy project at Aintree University Hospital Stroke Unit has now been running since June last year. There has been very good feedback from patients and staff. Further funding from the NHS Innovation Fund has been secured to extend this project for another 6 months.

MusicPlace North-West says a big “Thank you” to everyone involved in the fantastic concert on 18th March – to all the performers, the staff of Wirral Grammar School for Girls, and especially James Sills. We gratefully acknowledge your fund raising skills and the audiences generosity with £272 banked from the collection on the night and a further donation from the profits still to come.

5th March 2014 2 pm Kingsway Buildings

An interactive session by MusicPlace North-West. The session is open to anyone who wants to find out more about music therapy or who may be interested in music therapy as a career.

To find out more information or to book : http://www.chester.ac.uk/about/diversity-and-equality/diversity-festival