Local centre requests music books to benefit service users
A local mental health unit, run by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is asking for donations of any spare keyboard beginners books, CDs or musical instruments that people might have at home gathering dust.
If you are a musician, but no longer have a need for your beginner keyboard books or you’re having a clearout and want to free up some space on your shelves, then the Low Secure Forensic Service based at the Bretton Centre, Fieldhead, Wakefield, would be pleased to hear from you.
The service is for men from Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield with severe mental health conditions who require care under low secure conditions. It is made up of four wards and provides an inpatient pathway from admission through to recovery.
As an innovative approach to this care activity coordinators are part of the occupational therapy (OT) team and they have found that music is among one of the most popular meaningful activities for service users.
Activity coordinators run keyboard sessions, guitar sessions, mixing decks sessions, drum sessions and listening to music sessions to aid an individual’s recovery.
The service already provides equipment for people who use the service to teach themselves music, bring creative ideas as to how they can utilise music sessions, or just simply give them time to pursue their interest in music. But staff are on the look out for additional resources for service users to be able to take part in music sessions and aid their way to recovery.
Activity coordinator Claire Shanahan said: "The sessions have a number of benefits, including providing an opportunity for service users to engage in meaningful occupation and helping to prevent occupational deprivation synonymous with being detained in a secure environment. The activity sessions also encourage service users to express their identity and gives them the opportunity to focus on meaningful activities, which distracts from symptoms of mental illness."
To help support the work of staff the Trust would be grateful for any spare keyboard beginners books, any CDs for mixing music on the decks or old musical instruments.
With added resources the Bretton Centre can continue to help service users develop their musical talents and engage in meaningful occupation.
People can donate by sending items to activity coordinator Claire Shanahan, Bretton Centre, Fieldhead Hospital, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield or drop them into the reception at the Bretton Centre.
For further details on donating contact Claire Shanahan on 01924 327000 or email enquiries@swyt.nhs.uk