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Improving Arts, Performance and Play Music Matters

This was a project funded by The Big Lottery: The
People Project; Alder Hey was one of three North West
organisations to receive funding through securing the
most public votes following an ITV screening promoting
the project. The project enabled us to deliver music
workshops led by professional musicians on each
in-patient ward (8 in total) once a week for 12 months.
During that time, we delivered 320 workshops and
worked with 1,600 patients. The project demonstrated
clearly the immediate benefits of music intervention on
the wards. Evaluation carried out with patients showed
that 92% of patients believed that the music session
had significantly improved their hospital stay and 84%
Alder Hey has had an Arts for Health programme of patients said that it significantly helped them to
since 2002 which has become increasingly active in forget about their illness or condition.
enhancing the physical environment, improving the
patient experience and supporting clinical objectives Patients, parents and ward based staff unanimously
using knowledge of proven research into the benefits supported and welcomed the programme, recognising
of arts participation. It is distinct from those in other the influence that live
paediatric hospitals in that it is focused on patient participatory music had “I heard her playing
participation, being both patient-centred and patient on the child’s wellbeing, across the corridor
led. The arts support an individualised and very positive physical ability and and couldn’t wait for
healthcare experience for many patients, often focusing emotional state - and my turn.”
on those who have long-term conditions. particularly with long term
patients, their ability to Noah, aged 4
The Trust Arts Coordinator along with the Arts Strategy cope with hospital life.
Team and children and young people were instrumental
in the development of arts in the new hospital, inspired
by the theme of nature and the outdoors – connecting “The music session today was fantastic, the lady
with the environment. who performed was amazing, we all joined in
as a family and it left us all with a really positive
The Arts Coordinator manages an ongoing programme and enjoyable memory to look back on at such a
of participatory arts, major projects and collaborations difficult and hard time. I would highly recommend
with our cultural partners, as well as: these sessions and believe they are a great idea
for helping the child feel like there is something to
• showcasing the best of live music and performance in
our performance space, look forward to and make them smile. I think these
sessions are one of the best ideas the hospital has
• developing strategic links with further and higher to offer for children.”
education,
Mum of Miley, aged 7
• supporting and advising healthcare staff in
developing arts initiatives

• developing mentoring and CPD programmes for arts
and healthcare professionals. Music As Medicine

The programme is recognised by our peers as a This is an 18 month programme funded the Youth
national model of best practice and in July 2017, Music Foundation. It is a partnership project with Live
was cited for its exemplary practice in the All-Party Music Now North West and aims to support long term
Parliamentary group Inquiry into Arts, Health and patients in four areas of the hospital through regular
Wellbeing. participation in music sessions led by Live Music Now
musicians. The project also embeds bespoke training
2017/18 has seen unprecedented levels of participatory for the musicians, equipping them with the skills to
activity with our patients and their families. The number work in this sensitive environment and deliver music
of workshops delivered on the wards and in our sessions that the patients and families will enjoy. We
community sites has risen from 300 per year to 586 are also making a film resource to share with other
last year, and we worked with over 5,000 children and professional musicians interested in working in a
young people. This is in large part due to a number of paediatric healthcare setting.
high profile major projects:

Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 127 Annual Report & Accounts 2017/18