Healing through music at Reuben’s Retreat

UK charity ‘Music in Hospitals & Care’ have brought the soothing benefits of live music to children, their families and staff at Reuben’s Retreat in Glossop.  

In the past year, the charity’s professional musicians delivered over 90 hours of live music through its ‘Lullaby Hour’ programme, reaching 1,000+ babies, 500+ parents and carers and nearly 1,000 staff across neonatal wards, hospices and community centres. 

The sessions are designed to soothe and support families under stress, and offer an opportunity to connect with others who understand their experience. 

One parent explains: “We really enjoyed the music session. We liked that we were able to request our son's favourite songs, as familiarity does help to engage him with an activity. It was very accessible for him, he was able to choose musical instruments such as shakers, tambourines and bells so that he could join in. We also enjoyed meeting other families, and we like being part of a community.”  

Gemma Fletcher, Children and Young People Champion at Reuben’s Retreat, added: “It is very sensory, with children listening and feeling the beat. With the musical instruments, we had a little girl who is nonverbal hold an instrument for the first time while she was here. Watching moments like that and seeing parents interact so beautifully with their children through music, can be very emotional.” 

Reuben’s Retreat supports children of all ages with a wide range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and epilepsy. Music in Hospitals & Care’s skilled musicians take a tailored approach to sharing live music in this environment, moving around the room to interact with children or playing requests from parents. 

Explaining the impact of live music for the children and their parents or carers, Gemma adds: “We had a family who came out of hospital last year after spending a year there. Their son absolutely loves music, and you can see it on his face. He moves his head to the rhythm, almost dancing, and he is always smiling. Children may arrive upset or unsettled, but by the time they leave, both the children and their parents are smiling and happy. Sometimes they don’t want to leave because they are having such a lovely time.” 

Music provides a non-verbal way for children to express feelings they may not have the language for. Shared musical experiences help children feel connected to others, and it is this sense of connection that can reduce feelings of isolation and support social and emotional development, especially for children with complex needs. 

For more details about Music in Hospitals & Care visit: www.mihc.org.uk