Rhythm of Life Project

Thursday 10th June 2010

"The Rhythm of Life" was a creative music programme for older people based in care settings across Co Durham and took place from January to March 2010. During the project, 114 older people aged 70 to 90+ took part in a series of 10 weekly music sessions during which they were encouraged to use memories, stories, songs and percussion activities as a way of exploring and developing their musical skills. The sessions were led by North East folk musicians from Live Music Now and a team of activity specialists from a local authority organisation, CREATE, all of whom participated in initial training sessions to develop their skills. The CREATE team visited the venues on a weekly basis and were joined every fortnight by the LMN musicians. The workshop sessions included physical warm-ups to music, singing well known songs, learning new songs, exploring percussion instruments, creating soundscapes using percussion instruments, writing lyrics for songs, writing poems which were set to music by the musicians, learning about folk music and relaxing to music performed by the musicians. The project culminated in a public performance at County Hall, Durham and offered participants an opportunity to share their music with friends and family.

"I really enjoyed the music today because I was actually doing it myself, rather than just listening. I find that so many things are done for me now and it was great to take control and do what I wanted to do." Resident, Charles Dickens Lodge

Most participants reported that they 'felt better' after taking part in the sessions as documented by an improved score on the wellbeing scale on their final questionnaire. "The project has boosted me up". "It's passed the time away nicely". "It's been very enjoyable, gave a different outlook on life". E veryone who participated in the final performance was proud of their achievement and all felt that the performance had made the project all the more memorable. "On the way home from County Hall I had to check that the group on the bus were the same people we had arrived with! The atmosphere was so different. Everyone was really jolly because they had enjoyed the performance so much".( Care Home Manager)

In addition to the planned outcomes of the project; improved wellbeing through increased self confidence and self esteem was a notable improvement in the social environment. Some participants renewed friendships that had lapsed for many years and others made new friends. The project also helped staff in the care settings to find out about previously unknown musical skills and creative talents of the participants.

A resource pack was produced to support non-specialist staff to encourage older people to participate in musical activities. The pack includes information such as techniques for using simple hand-held percussion, musical games and song repertoire, as well as ideas and activities emerging from the project. This tool-kit will be a valuable resource for staff working in venues with older people throughout Co Durham and beyond, and will offer support to staff who wish to use music during informal learning and activity sessions. At then end of the project the staff noted that they had gained a wealth of new skills from working with the LMN musicians. "I don't consider myself to be a singer but now I know how to blend in with the instruments, and keep to the beat". Create staff

The project was funded by the Transformation Fund (part of the Learning Revolution which supports informal adult education)