Active Music, Active Minds, a special LMN programme made possible by Bank of America, supported the strategic development of our work with older people, including those living with dementia. Over three years, we worked to build capacity across the UK to provide regular live music and audience participation for older people in residential and day care throughout the UK. Alongside the performances, research gathered important evidence on how live music affects the elderly, including those with dementia.
Bank of America's substantial investment in Active Music, Active Minds brought the following returns:
- 20% increase in total activity with older people over three years.
- 8% increase in the proportion of our work with older people living with dementia.
- at least 32,000 older people in day and residential care take part in LMN music activity each year.
New projects were developed in LMN branches throughout the UK, including:
- A major programme of participatory performances in Runwood Homes: 8 performances in each of 22 homes, supported by Essex County Council.
- A partnership with Age Concern to provide music sessions for older offenders in the South West.
- A UK wide celebration of LMN's work with older people, and the value of live music in enhancing their quality of life, during the week of Older People's Day, 1 October 2009, with 63 young musicians delivering more than 50 sessions in care homes, day centres, hospitals and hospices through the UK.
- Musical Memories programme, supporting older people in residential homes to create music theatre performances using the music of their past.
- Performances for retired musicians in residential care, and those too frail to leave their homes to access activities, supported by the Musicians Benevolent Fund.
- A sustained programme of inspirational interactive live music performances for up to 1200 people a year in 31 selected day and residential care settings across ten London Boroughs, supported by the City Bridge Trust.
- Songs and Scones - Monthly participatory concerts in the Coliseum in Aberdare by LMN musicians, primarily for older people supported by Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Through Active Music, Active Minds, and with support from The Rayne Foundation, LMN commissioned an independent evaluation on its work with Older People. The Report - Meaningful Moments - published in May 2009 by Platform3, includes the following findings relating to outcomes:
- [LMN sessions] make a vital contribution to the well being of older people, particularly those with severe dementia.
- Regular performances demonstrate significant impact on the engagement, memory and vitality of residents with dementia.
- The performances are most effective when care staff are actively involved, contributing greatly to the social aspect of the events.
- [LMN sessions] assist care staff in their work, offering valuable insight or points of connection with older people for whom communication is often difficult.
We have invested further in training to equip LMN musicians with specialist skills, particularly in working with people living with dementia.
Active Music, Active Minds was widely acclaimed. The programme was shortlisted for the Charity Times Awards, and was praised by Government and those in the Arts. Ivan Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health, said:
"I have been listening to older people and their carers about what matters to them and one theme that has come up time and time again is that good care means stimulating the mind as well as the body and responding to people's interests and needs.
"'Active Music, Active Minds', is a prime example of an innovative way of doing just that. I am sure it will be a great success and will be warmly welcomed by those individuals whose lives it touches."
Peter Hewitt, departing Chief Executive, Arts Council England, commented: "We are pleased to support Live Music Now, which provides high quality participatory performances and workshops in a wide variety of settings," comments . "Their innovative project will make a huge difference to the quality of life of elderly people experiencing dementia, using music to stimulate memory and help keep their minds active. This important work meets our aim to give everyone the opportunity to take part in the arts."
The final word comes from Ian Stoutzker, OBE, Founder Chairman, Live Music Now, who said,
"We have never been in doubt as to the impact that music-making can have on people's lives. Thanks to Bank of America's generous support, the 'Active Music, Active Minds' programme will further enable us to offer stirring musical experiences to older people across the country, many of whom would not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy quality live music."