Live Music Now Wales started their musical partnership with Tŷ Hafan, the children’s hospice for Wales in April 2018, with regular “All Together Now” live music concerts for families and life limited children to enjoy together.
These live performances continued thanks to lottery funding until March 2020 when the pandemic hit and everything shut down. As the children at Tŷ Hafan were some of the most vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19, the hospice was not able to continue their respite services for families and were forced to focus solely on those needing end of life care. These changes hit the wellbeing of both staff and families hard.
Live Music Now Wales approached Tŷ Hafan in February 2021 about the possibility of running online live music concerts to provide creative connection to those attending Tŷ Hafan once more, despite the restrictions. A Facebook fundraiser raised over £3000 and their first virtual concert featured Mezzo Soprano Nicole Boardman of Boardman Ferla Duo. The impact and importance of this session was more than anyone could have predicted:
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for the virtual concert you facilitated for us last week. Both children who took part got so much out of it, however you made a real difference to one family. One child who took part sadly died the next day. He had been very unwell but was able to take part in the Live Music Now virtual concert. It was the last activity he took part in. He was able to listen to the concert with both his parents, whilst making music of his own. This has given the family beautiful, invaluable memories which I am sure they will treasure forever. I wanted to share this with you, as your virtual concerts really do help us to make every short life a full life.”
“We’re so grateful that our families get to be taken out of themselves at a really tough time and experience the joy that your concerts bring. Music can and does make a real difference to Tŷ Hafan families and we are incredibly grateful for your continued support – it really does make a huge difference.”
Emma Atkins, Play Coordinator