Live Music Now has delivered live performances for patients and staff at Southmead and Cossham Hospitals since 2018 as a valued part of North Bristol NHS Trust’s extensive programme of artistic and musical activity. Our musicians have been unable to visit clinical spaces within the hospital since March 2020. Early on in the pandemic, Laura Tanner, Music Manager at Southmead Hospital identified an opportunity to support the mental health and wellbeing of the hospital community during this difficult period through the medium of live online performances broadcast via Zoom, and approached Live Music Now to programme weekly online lunchtime concerts with the aim of providing some respite and light relief.
“We understand everyone is extremely stretched at the moment, but even the opportunity to drop in for 5-10 minutes offers the team here the chance to step out of the mind-set of their busy working day into a very different space. It is lovely to see such a variety of individuals (and often their families) logging in from many different locations to share the joy of live music in the best way possible right now.” Laura Tanner, Music Manager
The series started on January 28th with concerts taking place every Wednesday lunchtime and have continued since. These weekly events provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere where the audience are encouraged to engage with the concert in any way that feels comfortable for them. Performances showcase a range of musical styles and artists, and have featured LMN musicians including Bowreed, String Sisters, Flauguissimo Duo , Boubakiki, Royal Harpist Alis Huws and many more.
These online events are for the wellbeing of the entire hospital community, including; patients, staff, volunteers, members of the arts on referral groups, and students completing their training at NBT. So far the response from the Trust has been extremely positive.
“The concert really helped me engage back in with work seeing my colleagues, as well as others who I don’t know, and just having some enjoyable time together without the pressure of work.” NBT Staff Member
“Personally, I have been surprised how moving I have found the experience of putting this programme together. It feels fantastic, not just to be bringing more music back into the hospital, but also to be supporting musicians at what has been an unbelievably difficult time for the performing arts across the board.” Music Manager Laura Tanner
These concerts are provided by donations to Southmead Hospital Charity.
