This year, Wishing Well Music for Health brought live, interactive music into healthcare across Sussex and Surrey, reaching people at some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
Across 12 healthcare settings, we delivered 304 participatory music-making sessions, creating space for connection, expression and joy in places that can otherwise feel overwhelming. In total, 2,310 people took part, our highest ever number of participants.
That includes 563 babies, children and young people, 1,747 older people, and 880 family members who shared those moments alongside loved ones.
One daughter visiting her mother shared:
We have had the worst news today and I was dreading our visit. But you made a tough moment so much easier with your music. You are angels for doing this.
Our work supports people of all ages to express themselves and feel less alone. This year, our sessions helped create:
- Opportunities for people to express themselves
- Increased joy
- Increased motivation and activity, guarding against boredom and PJ Paralysis
- Increased non-clinical connection
In acute psychiatric care for people living with dementia, an Occupational Therapist said:
You cannot underestimate the value of what you do. The only time “Len” will come out of his room is when you are running the music group. The only time “Jean” sits still and relaxes is when she sings with you. We see a completely different side to people – the stress just seems to melt away. They are at peace.
We continued to invest in the future of creative health. This year, we supported 4 apprentices, delivering over 100 hours of learning for early-career music facilitators, and reached 27 NHS staff and medical students through training.
For many people, music is more than a moment of enjoyment. It can be a turning point. As one young person told us:
Prior to my illness, I was a keen musician….Luckily, I am now back to performing gigs and am applying for music college next year. None of this would have been possible without that one song. Having Wishing Well play for me in the hospital caused a huge impact on my recovery and reminded me of my passion for music. It honestly saved me.
Every session we deliver is grounded in partnership, care and a belief in seeing the person, not the patient. We want to say a huge thank you to the continued support from donors, partners and funders:
- Arts Council England
- The National Foundation for Youth Music
- Chalk Cliff Trust
- The Garfield Weston Foundation
- Ernest Klienwort Foundation
- The Early Birth Association
- SASH Charity
- My University Hospital Sussex Charity
- Surrey Community Foundation
- Rockinghorse Children’s Charity