Live Music Now’s ‘Musical Care Homes Programme’ is up for a Bags of Help grant from Tesco stores in Shropshire. Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme gives grants of up to £4,000 for community projects like ours – all raised from the sale of carrier bags in Tesco stores.
Our ‘Musical Care Homes Programme’ will deliver high quality live music sessions in several care homes across Shropshire, supporting over 250 older people.
The public votes in Shropshire stores during January and February on who should receive the awards. Please support us in your local store and tell your friends!
Why music?
Older people face many challenges, the most prominent being loneliness and social isolation. In addition, in excess of 80% of care home residents live with dementia or have significant memory problems, making life even more challenging. Music participation is extremely beneficial for those living in care – improving communication, unlocking memories, boosting enjoyment of life and creative thinking.
A major new report has recommended that live music should be essential in all UK care homes. The research, led by Live Music Now and the University of Winchester, suggests that carefully delivered music can improve quality of life for older people and provide significant benefits for care staff and care settings.
Read more about how a previous project benefited John from Shropshire.
“The Live Music Now project is wonderful. My Dad has been quite anxious for some time now but when he is in the music sessions he is relaxed and happy…It was truly amazing to see the difference in him. I really found it was very emotional.”
Our approach
Live Music Now trains young professional musicians to work in community settings such as care homes, hospitals, hospices and special schools. Our work has been endorsed by the Care Quality Commission and we have twice been finalists for an RSPH Arts & Health Award. Our musicians include a variety of instruments and genres, sessions are participatory and include opportunities to explore instruments, request music and join in by playing percussion, singing or movement – allowing residents to experience the benefits of live music beyond simply entertainment.
Live Music Now’s distinctive approach has been developed over 40 years, realising the vision of our founder, Yehudi Menuhin. We support inspirational young professional musicians to use their talents for the benefit of those who are otherwise excluded from the joy of experiencing live music.
How you can help
The project with the highest number of votes across your region will receive £4,000, the second placed project £2,000, and the third placed project £1,000. Please vote for us in one of the below Shropshire stores – voting will open on Tuesday 1st January and end on Thursday 28th February:
- Shrewsbury Tesco Extra, Cattle Market, SY1 4HA
- Shrewsbury Tesco Express, Ditherington Road, SY1 4BD
- Shrewsbury Tesco Express, Pride Hill, SY1 1EX
To vote, you will need to make a purchase within store of any value. You will receive one token per transaction and it’s not necessary to purchase a carrier bag in order to receive a token.
Help us make every care home a musical home!
