What is Music Therapy & Soundscape?
For some years, the NMT has been delivering a unique music therapy project helping children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. The initiative entitled Soundscape, offers people with severe communication and learning disabilities the means to communicate and learn. For some young children, it is the key that unlocks the door to the world around them. The unique qualities of music as therapy can enhance communication, support change, and enable people to live more resourcefully and creatively. It is a form of psychotherapy where music by a trained professional is used to achieve therapeutic goals such as include motor skills, interpersonal development, cognitive development and self-awareness.
Music therapy is based in the belief that everyone can respond to music, no matter how ill or disabled, irrespective of age.
Soundscape operates out of a purpose-built music therapy centre as well as special schools and other locations in East London. The Soundscape Brochure (available to download) outlines the progress made with this project to date, and our key fundraising targets for the year ahead.
Soundscape has been designed to address the communication and other needs of East London children and adults with severe disabilities. Although most of the activities are targeted at children and young people, groups of adults, including those with profound and multiple learning difficulties, are also supported.Music therapy is now an established state-registered health-service supplementary to medicine.
In 2008/09, 293 individuals benefited from Soundscape sessions.
Older People with Alzheimer's and Dementia
Soundscape received funding from City Bridge Trust at the beginning of 2009 to develop its service for older people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society. With the Government forecasting national numbers affected by these degenerative diseases to double by 2029, this is a crucial new project. Soundscape will be starting a community café in the Autumn term, inviting older people from the community to join in music making and music therapy activity.
Facilities
Comprising of a well equipped therapy room, instrument store and disabled toilet with baby-changing facilities, it is accessed by lift from street level parking.
Training Opportunities for Carers and Teachers
Soundscape also provides training for parents, teachers, social workers, music students, nurses and other healthcare professionals. During the past year, the Trust has provided training for 12 different organisations, including supervised clinical placements and supervision for masters students from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. If you would like to find out about future training workshops and courses, please keep an eye on our calendar on the events page.
How to refer someone to Soundscape
To refer a patient, student, young person, adult or anyone else you think would benefit from Music Therapy, or if you would like to find out more information, please complete the appropriate Referral Form, which can be found on the Soundscape Downloads Page and return to Mo Hayata at motoko.hayata@newham-music.org.uk or post to Newham Academy of Music, Wakefield Street, London, E6 1NG.
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