Liverpool Philharmonic has announced that Alder Hey has become a partner in their groundbreaking Music and Health programme, which uses music to improve the mental and physical health of people in the Liverpool City Region.

• The initiative will be funded by Alder Hey Children’s Charity, which supports the coordination of all Arts for Health projects across the hospital.
• Alder Hey and Liverpool Philharmonic will work in partnership to improve the health and well-being of children, young people, their families, carers, and staff at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. The partnership will involve 36 weekly music-making sessions for patients on wards, working with staff, volunteers, children, and young people.
• This is part of Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music and Health programme, now in its 15^th year. It is now one of the longest-running and largest arts and health programmes in the UK. To date, over 21,500 individuals have benefitted from this programme.
• To celebrate the partnership’s launch, a string quartet of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musicians performed a special concert in the atrium of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Part of Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music and Health programme, the partnership will work to improve the health and well-being of children, young people, their families, carers and staff at Alder Hey. The partnership will involve the delivery of many high-quality music-making activities for children and young people accessing treatment and support at Alder Hey.

Michael Eakin, Chief Executive of Liverpool Philharmonic said: 

“We are delighted to welcome Alder Hey to our Music and Health programme and are grateful for their commitment to this new partnership. We now work with 6 NHS organisations  in the Liverpool City Region, being able to expand our support to children and young people is very important to us. This programme has demonstrated the long-term positive impact music and creativity has on improving the physical and mental health outcomes of patients and participants and we’re excited to continue to grow the programme and support more people in the region and beyond”.

Fiona Ashcroft, Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s Charity said:

“Music and the arts are a huge part of what we do at Alder Hey to help our children and young people recover. The charity has funded Arts for Health projects across the hospital totalling £354,524 this year alone and we’re delighted to be able to now partner with such a prestigious organisation as Liverpool Philharmonic.”

Louise Shepherd, Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“As proud Chair of The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society and Alder Hey CEO, I’m delighted we can expand further our music therapy programmes for children, young people and families at Alder Hey through this partnership. Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music and Health programme is delivered by a team of 10 highly experienced Lead Musicians, and over 30 visiting musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The partnership at Alder Hey will include one to one sessions across wards, performances (including some curated and designed by patients) and a programme of activity at Sunflower House – our tier four mental health inpatient unit. In addition the partnership will offer Alder Hey colleagues and families improved opportunities to access live music at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and closer engagement with Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company and In Harmony Youth Hubs.”

Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music and Health programme uses a person-centred approach to music to benefit wellbeing, build connections and boost confidence. Now in its 15^th year the programme has worked with 21,500 to date across Liverpool City Region. It is one of the longest-running and largest arts and health programmes in the UK, working with the NHS to: Enhance mood and self-esteem for those experiencing mental or physical illness, Help people rebuild confidence and develop skills, support independent living in the community, making new connections or returning to employment and positively affect the hospital or ward environment for patients and NHS staff.

Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust becomes the 6^th NHS organisation to participate in the Music and Health programme alongside Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Improving Me, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust. Music and Health supports children and adults in community and inpatient adult mental health, perinatal mental health, cancer care, neurology and neurosurgery, addiction recovery and people living with dementia, brain injuries and learning disabilities.

Find out more about Music and Health and read the 2023 report by the University of Liverpool here.

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