Final Covers

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Final Covers Striking November 2006 Iona Joy a chord Adrian Fradd Using music to change lives A guide for donors and funders Striking a chord Using music to change lives A guide for donors and funders Cover photo supplied by Streetwise Opera (Suzanne Jansen) Executive summary Just as a love of music drives giving to musical institutions and the arts, it can also inspire giving to charities that help those most in need. Music engages groups that are hard to reach: helping people with brain injuries to communicate; homeless people to get back in touch with their families; and people who are mentally ill to gain focus and purpose in life. ‘Music is a moral law. It gives soul to Who is using music? and musical organisations as being the universe, wings to the mind, distinct from their social interests. flight to the imagination, and charm Both government and charities However, a passion for music can be and gaiety to life and to everything.’ recognise and value the role that music combined with a desire to improve the can play. The government is using music Plato lives of others. to pursue social and economic policies at school, in the health service, and as a Some examples of charities that are From the beginning of civilisation, music tool to address exclusion and regenerate using music effectively are listed in a has played a vital role in people’s lives. communities. Likewise, a number of table at the back of this report. To this day, music holds immense charities are using music programmes to cultural and aesthetic value in our tackle issues and improve the lives of David’s story society, and it can also contribute to the people they work with. David is homeless and suffers from social change. David’s story, in the box, mental health problems. He has panic demonstrates the power music has to Charities that use music work in very attacks and anxiety severe enough to change lives. different ways. They range from national prevent him from working. He rarely orchestras to local community groups; goes out to meet other people. This report explores how this power can from specialist music charities to ordinary be harnessed by charities to tackle charities using music to help their work. He started attending music workshops at disadvantage and disability. Some use opera. Others use hip hop. All his shelter provided by the charity of them harness the power of music as a Streetwise Opera. Since then he has Why music? way to improve people’s lives. never missed a session. Despite ups and downs in his life and even drastic changes Music is not just a thing of beauty; it is What works? in his medication, he has always made also a tool for change. Working on it to the workshops. physical, mental, emotional and cultural There are many different types of music This dedication has led to significant levels, music provides people with the programmes, and they are not all equally changes in his character over time. While opportunity to improve their lives in a successful. Although there is no uniform David is normally quiet and shy,he is the dramatic way. Everyone can benefit recipe for assured success, good life and soul of the group when involved from music, but it can make the most programmes have several common in the workshops. Although he generally difference for those who are characteristics. While the type of music shies away from physical contact, he is disadvantaged by disability, poor health used and its quality is key, charities can far more comfortable when contact is or social deprivation. Music helps these also maximise the social benefits of required in role play. people to overcome social barriers and music if they offer a bit of extra help. difficulties in health or communication. Programmes can deepen the impact of The music sessions have given David the Yet disadvantaged groups, such as their work by including opportunities to confidence he needed to overcome his disabled children and homeless people, socialise or gain work experience, and difficulties, and a safe space to express find it hard to access the musical they can widen the impact by involving himself. They provide an outlet for feelings activities that are best for them. This is families, friends and the community. In that might otherwise stay bottled up, and where charities can help. Many charities all cases, participants should be closely an opportunity for David to enjoy himself are already using music successfully to consulted and involved at all stages of and have fun. improve people’s lives. the programme. His confidence has expanded particularly when he is on stage. He is always on What can music do? Clarion call time for performances and he has even Music can lead to concrete improvements begun to iron his clothes in order to look For donors already passionate about in people’s lives. Just a few examples presentable on stage. He recently music, this report confirms its benefits include: helping people with mental health overcame his fear of travelling and big and shows how music can change lives problems into work; tackling the isolation cities by going to London to perform. He in ways they may not have thought of of homeless people; enabling people with is also just about to start a carpentry before. For donors who think of music dementia to connect with their families. course. as an indulgence, this report supplies Academic research and data collected by evidence to change their minds. Not only has David experienced immense charities have proven music’s pleasure and support, he has also gained effectiveness. Case studies also provide Music is not automatically thought of as the tools and the confidence to face the compelling proof of how a person’s life a tool for social change. Many donors future and change his life. can change direction through music. see the money that they give to cultural Photograph taken by Camilla Jessel Panufnik, FRPS 2 Introduction and contents ‘Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the Who can it help? What impact does it have universe, wings to the mind, flight to the on education, health and communities? imagination, and charm and gaiety to life What factors influence the success of and to everything.’ charities’ music programmes? Plato This report is not about funding music Diverting 0.5% From the beginning of civilisation, music scholarships for talented young people or of the has played a vital role in people’s lives. supporting composers and music schools. To this day, music holds immense cultural Instead it is about how music can help people healthcare and aesthetic value in our society, while like David to overcome obstacles and improve ‘ also contributing to social change. their lives. budget to the This report explores how the power of arts would ‘ music can be used to improve the lives This report examines what music can offer, of those in need. and who can benefit from it. It describes improve the charities that use music and details the results The purpose of this report music can achieve. It will finish by highlighting health of people some common characteristics of successful David’s experience (see executive summary) music programmes. In so doing, it will in Britain. shows that taking part in music can have a demonstrate how donors and funders can significant and lasting impact on people’s lives. contribute to the lives of the disadvantaged and Richard Smith, Editor, But just how does music help people? disabled by supporting charities in this field. British Medical Journal3 Why music? 4 The report begins by asking what exactly music offers the charitable sector and who it can help What can music do? 6 The second section draws on the evidence base to set out some of the common benefits of music programmes Who is using music? 8 The third section looks at some of the charities using music to improve people’s lives. What works? 17 The fourth section highlights the characteristics of successful music programmes Clarion call 19 The report concludes with recommendations for donors and funders wishing to support charities that use music 3 Why music? 1 Music is not just a thing of beauty; it is develops social skills, and provides also a tool for change. Working on opportunities to have fun and make friends. physical, mental, emotional and cultural Music, even when played privately, provides levels, music provides people with the a sense of achievement and stimulates the opportunity to improve their lives in a brain. It helps people to feel in control and dramatic way. Everyone can benefit from positive about some part of their lives. music, but it can make the most difference for those who are Listening to music may seem passive, but it disadvantaged by disability, poor health produces powerful physical and emotional or social deprivation. Music helps these responses. It reduces pain levels, lowers blood people to overcome social barriers and pressure and triggers memories and feelings. difficulties in health or communication. New skills and improved health make people Yet disadvantaged groups, such as happier and more positive, providing them with disabled children and homeless people, the tools to improve their lives. The benefits of find it hard to access the musical music build up and create conditions for activities that are best for them. This is greater and lasting changes. Better academic where charities can help. Many charities skills and self-confidence lead to employment; are already using music successfully to improved self-esteem and communication improve people’s lives.
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