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hertfordshire

Give the Gift of Time

Give the Gift of Time

GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME AND CHANGE THE TUNE FOR SOMEONE IN NEED

MUSIC24 CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS ACROSS
BEDFORDSHIRE AND HERTFORDSHIRE

We are only a few weeks away from New Year’s resolutions and ‘fresh starts’ but before we get there, have you thought of giving the gift of time to support a good cause in your locality?

Music24 knows very well, how valuable volunteers are and how they help change people’s lives for the better.

We are always looking for volunteers, they are the beating heart of our charity; without them we could not deliver the twenty music groups we run across Herts and Beds that reach over 450 people every year.  Many of our Service Users  tell us that coming to sing, dance and play instruments with Music24, is life-changing – our volunteers are essential to making this happen on a weekly basis.

For many volunteers it’s not only about giving back and helping out, it also forms part of their weekly routine, the growth of their own social network in meeting other volunteers and being part of a team; in turn this results in their own wellbeing and happiness.

Di Pook, a Music24 Dementia group volunteer explained, “I used to bring my partner to their [Music24] sessions, and when I lost him, I sort of lost myself, if that makes sense, and so I decided to volunteer with Music24.  What it’s done is it’s giving me some purpose back to my life and I feel that I can help some of the other people in the way that Music24 helped my partner.”

It is very rewarding to volunteer for a charity like Music24 - you see, first hand, the positive impact that the work of the charity has on people in need of community intervention, you make new friends, you can participate at special one-off or annual events  and, at the same time, you are recognised for your contribution of precious time.

Volunteers make a huge difference to people's lives in just a few hours every week.  They don't have to be musicians to join Music24 - just kind, compassionate, fun-loving, supportive, empathic, encouraging, inspiring and full of community spirit and creative energy!  This Christmas and into the New Year, we are asking people to think about what time they can give – contact Music24 if you are interested in the power music has to change lives.  Now is the time.  You are needed!

For more information on how to volunteer for Music24 contact info@music24.org.uk or head to our website.

EMPOWERING HERTS DEMENTIA CARE STAFF TO BECOME MUSIC CHAMPIONS

EMPOWERING HERTS DEMENTIA CARE STAFF TO BECOME MUSIC CHAMPIONS

Music24 is proud to be working alongside Herts Care Providers Association, Age UK Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire County Council in a project that is establishing Hertfordshire as a Centre for Excellence for Music in Dementia Care.

Thanks to the Power of Music Fund and following a successful 3 day pilot, we are excited that the launch of the Music in Herts Dementia Care Champion programme is ready to welcome new cohorts from Residential and Nursing Homes in Hertfordshire. The programme will empower care professionals to discover how deeply music can connect, comfort and uplift those living with Dementia. It will help them to integrate music into the lives of residents with Dementia on a daily basis. 

During the 3 day pilot sessions, our ‘Dementia Care Music Champions’ stepped out of their comfort zones to learn how positively music can affect residents and staff. Here are a few things they said about their training experience:

“What a benefit music really is to everyone, particularly with dementia.”

“I have learnt different strategies and techniques to carry out music sessions at the home.” 

“Think about impact on residents & make sure they enjoy session.”

“To have fun with the residents and make them smile. “

“That I should ask what peoples’ music preferences are. How music makes them feel and the importance of music to people.”

“Hope this continues!”

“Really enjoyed this course. Brilliant trainers”

Information about the training opportunities taking place in September and October 2025 for current Dementia and Engagement Care professionals working in Residential & Nursing Homes in Hertfordshire, can be found via the links below.

Music in Herts Dementia Care Champion - 3 Day Course September 2025

Music in Herts Dementia Care Champion - 3 Day Course October 2025

Funding Awarded for Music & Dementia Centre of Excellence in Hertfordshire

Funding Awarded for Music & Dementia Centre of Excellence in Hertfordshire

Music24 is exceptionally proud to announce our involvement in a pioneering initiative that will use the power of music to transform dementia care across Hertfordshire, improving the lives of thousands of people living with dementia and upskilling care staff to integrate music into everyday practice.

Hertfordshire has been selected as the UK’s second Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia by the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) through its Power of Music Fund. Greater Manchester was named as the first Centre of Excellence in 2024.

Led by Age UK Hertfordshire, in partnership with Music24, the Hertfordshire Care Providers Association (HCPA), Hertfordshire County Council and other expert organisations, and forming part of the Hertfordshire Dementia Strategy Delivery programme led by the Hertfordshire Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism (MHLDA) Health and Care Partnership, the project will develop and deliver a comprehensive training programme for care professionals. The goal is to create Music Champions within 100 care homes, training 6,000 staff to embed therapeutic music techniques into dementia care, benefiting approximately 5,800 residents over the funded period.

Music has been proven to help people with dementia communicate, reduce anxiety and depression, improve self-esteem, stimulate memory, and reconnect with their cultural identity. This initiative will create personalised music experiences for residents by considering their musical preferences and histories. Care staff will be trained in various techniques, including passive and active music listening, singing and playing instrument, talking about music and encouraging reminiscence, and dancing and movement-based engagement.

Music24 will lead the training development alongside HCPA, drawing on expertise from organisations such as Herts Musical Memories, Music For My Mind and the Hertfordshire Music Service. The training programme will be co-produced with experts, care staff, and people living with dementia, ensuring it meets real-life needs and creates lasting impact.

To ensure sustainability, the programme will establish a Music Champion’s Network, providing ongoing peer support and professional development for trained staff. The initiative will also be evaluated in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire County Council Public Health, ensuring robust data collection to measure the long-term impact on staff confidence, resident wellbeing, and care home culture.

Through this project, Hertfordshire is set to lead the way in embedding music into dementia care on a large scale, influencing both local and national approaches. The Centre of Excellence will not only support care homes but also eventually extend training opportunities to community groups, mental health services, and hospices, ensuring that more people can benefit from the life-changing power of music.

Further details on this programme will follow as it develops over the next few months. We look forward to working with all partners on this exciting initiative!

Celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III

Celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III

How did you celebrate the Coronation in May?  Music24 marked the historic event with cake, colour and, of course, music!  Our Singing Café group in Welwyn Garden City had fun making majestic crowns, singing songs of celebration and sharing sumptuous baked confections known as cake, with plenty of second helpings!

As a tribute to His Majesty’s public service, we also spread the message about the act of volunteering highlighted by the Coronation weekend’s ‘The Big Help Out’ campaign.  Championing the positive impact that volunteering has on supporting local areas and communities across the nation, the campaign encouraged people to give volunteering a go for themselves.  We would like to thank all our current volunteers that help make Music24 possible.  From those of you who help out at our sessions to those who support us in countless other ways - thank you for everything you do!

If, in the spirit of King Charles III’s Coronation legacy, you would like to consider volunteering for us, more information is available here.  So please, get in touch with us directly, we would love to hear from you!