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mental health

Men's Mental Health Awareness Month

Men's Mental Health Awareness Month

For November's Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re celebrating how community music-making can make a real difference. We asked Steve and Dan how coming to Music24’s Mind Our Music group helps them.

“Forget your worries, come here and play your music.” - Steve

“When I leave a session I feel more satisfied and happier. I feel fulfilled.” - Dan

When Steve first joined the Luton Mind Our Music group in 2023, he was looking for something to lift the weight that had settled over his days. After years spent caring for his father and sister, and managing his own health concerns, he describes life as “a stressful burden.” Music, however, has become a refuge. “I love coming here every Monday,” he says. “It helps me a lot with anxiety problems.”

The weekly sessions at Music24’s ‘Mind Our Music’ in Luton, bring together people who share a love of music and an understanding of what it means to struggle. Some are musicians, some are not. Participants swap instruments, sing, and improvise together. In a welcoming, non-judgemental space, people can express themselves freely through sound. Participants sing, play, and create in the moment - no pressure, no expectations, just the joy of making music side by side.

“It’s great to come here with other musicians and have a very enjoyable musical evening,” Steve explains. “You get any problems you’ve got off your chest.”

“It’s nice to meet, lovely people and lovely staff,” Steve says. “Forget your worries, come here and play your music.”

For Steve, who often spends time alone, the group provides balance.  Here, he rediscovers confidence, companionship and calm.  Mind Our Music is more than just a creative outlet, it is a community.  “It’s stress relief for me,” Steve smiles. “Great staff, great people, very enjoyable.”

When Dan first heard about Music24’s Mind Our Music sessions in Welwyn, he wasn’t sure what to expect. As someone who is autistic and lives with epilepsy, change takes time. But with gentle encouragement from his mum, Sue, and his care team, Dan decided to give it a go.

That was in 2023. Two years later, he’s still attending the group and his weekly music sessions have become a vital part of his routine, wellbeing, and happiness.

“Sometimes I feel alright, sometimes I feel unwell when I arrive here,” Dan said. “I do look forward to coming every week. It supports me and makes me feel like I’m important.”

Sue has seen the difference it makes to her son.

“Dan’s main issue in life is anxiety, which can lead to seizures,” she explained. “As far as I’m aware, he’s only had one seizure during a Music24 session. Everyone was very caring and I believe this reassured him that it a lovely group to be part of.”

Inside the sessions, everyone is encouraged to experiment and find their own rhythm. Some can already play instruments; others simply join the jam and see where it takes them.

Dan’s mum Sue said, “He enjoys trying new instruments and feels comfortable and welcome.”

“I like to play the piano at Music24,” Dan said with a smile. “I can’t do that anywhere else. I like to sing too - especially country music.”

For Dan, the sessions are about music, connection, confidence, and belonging. Over time, Sue has seen a noticeable change in him.

“His confidence has improved,” she shared. “He really enjoyed rehearsing for the Abbey Road recording last year — particularly meeting and interacting with members of other groups. I think it’s made him realise it’s okay to be different.”

And how does Dan feel when the music stops?

“I feel different when I leave the session,” he said. “I feel more satisfied and happier when I leave. I feel fulfilled.”

As Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us, spaces like Mind Our Music matter - especially for men who may struggle to express how they feel. Music brings people together, helps them connect without words.

Want to get involved?

If you or someone you know could benefit from joining a welcoming, creative community like Music24’s Mind Our Music groups, we’d love to hear from you. Follow us on social media to learn more about our sessions and how you can support men’s mental health through the power of music.

Contact info@music24.org.uk or 01582 250024

Music and Wellbeing: The Impact of Music Therapy

Music and Wellbeing: The Impact of Music Therapy

Music is a universal language.  It connects people in ways words sometimes can't. Whether we're tapping our feet to a catchy beat, finding peace or revisiting memories in a familiar tune, music has a unique ability to make us feel better. This is where music therapy steps in, offering not only emotional healing but also physical and mental support.

At Music24 we have first-hand experience of the transformative influence that music has on people’s lives.  Bringing music therapy principles to our community music group sessions, we help individuals across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire who live with dementia, learning disabilities, and mental health conditions. Every week, we demonstrate the profound benefits of music therapy and the powerful impact it has on people’s lives.

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is an evidence-based practice that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Trained music therapists, qualified in both music and therapeutic techniques, use music in a structured and purposeful way to help individuals achieve improved communication skills, enhanced cognitive function, emotional expression and creativity.

Unlike simply listening to music, music therapy is an active, therapeutic process. Sessions can involve activities like playing instruments, singing, songwriting, or even rhythmic exercises. The therapist tailors the activities to each individual's needs, using music to develop an ever-growing sense of accomplishment, self-expression, and connection.

The Benefits of Music Therapy

  1. Improved Cognitive Function For people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, music therapy can improve memory and cognitive function. Music activates areas of the brain simultaneously, including those involved in memory, attention, and emotional processing. For individuals with dementia, listening to familiar songs or participating in music-based activities can trigger memories and help reduce confusion or agitation.

  2. Emotional Expression and Healing Many people with mental health conditions struggle to express their emotions. Music provides a safe outlet for self-expression, helping individuals connect with their feelings and express them in a non-verbal way. The rhythms, melodies, and harmonies of music can bring a sense of calm and joy by making music ‘in the moment’.

  3. Social Connection Group music therapy sessions provide a unique opportunity for individuals to engage socially, creating bonds with others in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Whether it's singing together, playing instruments in unison, or just sharing the experience of music, these sessions encourage collaboration, reduce isolation, and create a sense of belonging.

  4. Physical Benefits Music therapy can also have a positive impact on physical health. For people with physical disabilities or those recovering from illness, rhythmic music can improve coordination, motor skills, and muscle strength. Percussion instruments, for example, can help develop motor skills, while dancing or movement activities can improve balance and mobility.  Singing is also proven to benefit those living with lunch conditions and improves breathing.

  5. Reduced Anxiety and Stress Music has the power to soothe and relax.  This is particularly helpful for individuals with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. The calming effects of music can help lower heart rates, reduce blood pressure, and promote a state of relaxation, making music therapy an effective tool for overall well-being.

Music24 Brings Therapeutic Music Sessions to the Heart of the Community

Everyone is a musician in our eyes!  Music24 is dedicated to providing high-quality music therapy-based services to individuals in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Our weekly community music group sessions offer a space for people living with dementia, learning disabilities, and mental health conditions to experience the benefits of therapeutic music sessions in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Each week, we bring people together to participate in music-based activities, all under the guidance of trained, qualified music therapists, our session support workers and experienced volunteers. The community music groups offer a safe and inclusive space where everyone can take part, regardless of their ability level, whether it's joining in with a simple percussion instrument, singing along, or participating in more complex musical activities, the goal is to nurture a sense of togetherness and achievement.

How Music24 is Making a Difference

For over ten years, Music24 has been making a difference to people throughout Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. From providing our Dementia group service users with the opportunity to connect with their carers, loved ones and others in the group through song and gentle dance, to those with learning disabilities who we support by helping them to gain confidence, enhance their creativity and build social skills; Music24’s work is a testament to the transformative power of music.

One participant, who struggles with their mental health, recently shared how our sessions had brought a sense of purpose and joy back into their life.

“I’m on medication for ADHD and Bipolar, but you need more than medication to take care of mental health conditions.  Music24 gives me an opportunity to create music and it is very therapeutic.  It helps if I’m in a depression, I’ll come out and be in a good mood.”  They went on to explain, “Music24 gives a really spontaneous, generative form of creativity that is very immediate and wonderful.  It’s jamming really.  When I leave each session I’m on a great note;  I have a spring to my step. It makes me feel enabled, very happy and full of potential. ”

Music is a powerful tool for healing, health and wellbeing, through it we can inspire change and improve lives.

If you or a loved one could benefit from Music24’s services, please contact us by email info@music24.org.uk or telephone 01582 250024.