Instrument board funding is music to ward’s ears

The Trust has been successful in securing funding to develop three ‘ambient music boards’ which will enable service users to create their own peaceful and relaxing sounds.

Music For All awarded the Trust’s linked charity Creative Minds £1,850 as part of its Power of Music Fund 2024, which gives grants to local organisations that use music making to support people living with dementia and their carers.

The boards feature harp strings, kalimba keys, chimes and other musical objects, along with a removable beanbag base so that the board can be placed on someone’s lap or on a table.

The board was designed by artist Andy Abbott, who used his experiences working as a creative practitioner in mental health units with people aged over 65 and people who had been diagnosed with dementia to create the innovative instrument. Staff and service users also contributed to its design. The boards have been brought to life by instrument builder Sam McLoughlin.

A prototype of the board was trialled at The Poplars, a unit in Pontefract for people with dementia, and The Dales, three mental health wards in Calderdale. Teams fed back that the music had a calming effect on the ward and de-escalated agitated behaviour in service users. In other instances, it helped lift the atmosphere and provided opportunities for collective music making, movement, dancing and singing between service users and staff.

A member of ward staff said: “Music sessions have increased the opportunity for staff and service users to build good working relationships with one another and provided a way for everyone to connect with one other by playing together, learning together, skill-sharing, and prompts for conversation and reminiscing.”

The funding will also enable the Trust to provide training to staff on how to use the board. Watch a video demonstration of the board on YouTube.