Category Archives: News & Updates

Celebrating World Music Therapy Week

Nordoff and Robbins logo  

Celebrating World Music Therapy Week   Nordoff and Robbins  
It’s the first ever World Music Therapy Week! To celebrate, we’ll be debunking some common music therapy misconceptions.

We’ll be sharing a myth-busting blog from our music therapists, stories of how music therapy has a positive impact and discussing what exactly music therapy is!
​​​
Tune into our social channels to be part of the conversation.

Find out more below, and catch up on more news from us.
Read the myth-busting blog    
Celebrating the power of music, together      
Our latest news
What do you know about music therapy?   Is music therapy really only for children? Does it only take place in groups? Test your music therapy knowledge, as our music therapists break down some common misconceptions.

Read now
Nordoff and Robbins  
How should we talk about disability?  
In this thought-provoking blog post, music therapist Stella speaks on how we can begin to take personal responsibility for our language use on disability – and why it’s important. 

Read now
     
Bringing music therapy back to Glasgow   We are very excited to have partnered with multi-disciplinary arts venue SWG3! This partnership will allow us to bring music therapy back to the people of Glasgow. ​

Read more

What’s it like to be a music therapy student?   Ever wondered what it’s like to study on our Master of Music Therapy programme? Chloe gives us a sneak peek of a day in her life as a student with Nordoff and Robbins.

Watch now
Nordoff and Robbins
Enquire about music therapy  
Music therapy can help people of all ages and circumstances. Did you know that you can refer yourself? Find out which of our centres are currently accepting new referrals, and how to apply. 

Find out more
Advertisement

CALM newsletter September 2022

CALM Logo
  18 people die by suicide every day in the UK. We’re asking you to stand with us and help tell anyone and everyone who can’t see a way out: “Things can change”. To help more people to Stay.   Stand with us     Ash’s Story “You might feel like you can’t carry on, but I promise there are so many reasons to stay.” Ash

When Ash was struggling with furlough, lockdown and a new baby, things got too much. He wanted to end it all, but our webchat helped him to see a way forward. We want more people like Ash to find hope, to find a reason to Stay.      Help CALM be there, no matter what “CALM’s helpline saved my life. They listened without judging me and helped me make a plan for the future.”

Someone contacts the CALM helpline every 59 seconds. Each call we take could be the one that helps someone decide to Stay. Whether it’s £3, £8 or £25, whatever you can donate would make a huge difference and could help fund a potentially life-saving call for someone like Ash.   Donate today     Suicide rates are unacceptable. We need to do more. “We know the risk factors associated with suicide, so we need to be proactively taking actions to address them” Wendy, Head of Services 

We lose 125 people to suicide every week. We need real change – and that means dedicated government action that covers housing, education, health, money, and employment.   Read more   Find out how you can help save a life We know talking about suicide can seem awkward and uncomfortable – but it could also be the most important conversation you ever have. We’re here to give you the tools to start a potentially life-saving conversation, so that no one has to struggle on their own.     THE FACTS   Read more   THE SIGNS   Read more     THE WORDS   Read more   THE SUPPORT   Read more     Take action against suicide, sign up for the Lost Hours Walk When the clocks go back, we walk forward against suicide. Create your own Lost Hours Walk, help CALM continue to be there for anyone who’s struggling and raise vital awareness and cash for our services.    Walk for CALM  
DONATEGet SupportTake Action   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram   YouTube

Running the Reading Half Marathon 2023 for Sobell House Hospice charity

2023 marks 25 years since I ran my first marathon – London marathon April 1998. To celebrate that milestone I know I can’t do a marathon distance now, however, a gentle(!) half marathon through the suburban delights of Reading finishing at their football stadium seems a perfect way to spend the first Sunday in April 2023 🙂

My last run was a 10K back in 2016 and I haven’t run properly in over 18 months. Let’s have one last race hurrah raising funds for the vital & caring work done by the Sobell House Hospice charity. 

Thank you for reading and any support gratefully received. 

Just Giving page

Sobell House website

Facebook page

I will aim to update on my training & fundraising (any ideas gratefully received!). I am currently back using the excellent NHS/BBC app Couch To 5k This time around listening to BBC Radio 1 DJ Reece Parkinson (don’t listen to Radio 1 I hasten to add!) as my ‘Mr Motivator’. he’s good but miss the dulcet tones of Michael Jordon.

Nordoff Robbins June 2022 newsletter

Our flagship fundraiser, the O2 Silver Clef Awards, is just around the corner (tomorrow)! We’re looking forward to many special moments, including hearing the story of Inez, told in person by her father, Julian

Another special moment we’re eagerly anticipating is the auction of George Michael’s personal Bechstein piano. You can register and live stream the auction, below!

Why not stay up to date with the O2 Silver Clefs on social media tomorrow? 

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And we’d also love to invite you to TikTok, where we’ll be sharing video highlights of our flagship fundraiser!​

“Inez was mesmerised from the start. Fraser listens, and with the piano, he’s able to articulate something that she understands. Sometimes she just gazes into his eyes.” The incredible testimony Inez’s dad, Julian, gave on his daughter’s experience of music therapy with Fraser. Watch Inez’s story, below.
Watch Inez’ story

A very special auction of George Michael’s personal Bechstein piano With heartfelt thanks to George’s Estate, we have the privilege of hosting this auction at our O2 Silver Clef Awards. It’s open to anyone in the world, and you can live stream it on Friday 1st July at 2pm. Every penny raised will go towards music therapy. Register today
Music Mudder returns!
Is your business ready to face the music (and mud)? Music Mudder returns to Surrey on Friday 2nd September, challenging brave Nordoff Robbins supporters to the mud-run of a lifetime! This messy team-building fundraiser brings music and mud together, in teams of 10!
Sign up your team


Happy 80th Birthday, Macca!
The Beatles Story in Liverpool (a museum dedicated to the fab four) is celebrating Sir Paul McCartney’s 80th by raising funds for us! Beatles fans can sign Paul’s digital birthday card, and Donate – bringing to life the power of music, through music therapy. 
Read more and donate


Raising funds for music therapy – in the name of heavy metal! 🤘
Heavy Metal Truants finally hosted their London to Download Festival cycle after 2 years of virtual events. Joining the team was Rob Rolfe from Enter Shikari, who wanted to support us after visiting our London Centre. Sponsor Rob, below! 
Sponsor Rob

Nordoff Robbins May 2022 update

Announcing our 2022 O2 Silver Clef Award Winners

The O2 Silver Clef Awards return on 1st July! We’ll be honouring some of the biggest names in the music industry (including our O2 Silver Clef Award winner, the legendary Peter Gabriel!) All whilst raising hundreds of thousands in vital funding for Nordoff Robbins. Read more on who of your favourite artists have scooped an O2 Silver Clef Award, below!  
Read more on O2 Silver Clefs    
   
Jamal Edwards MBE will be honoured at the Music Industry Trust Awards 2022  
The prestigious MITs Awards 2022 will honour Jamal Edwards MBE. Jamal will be recognised for his outstanding contribution to the music industry. As a music entrepreneur, DJ and founder of the multifaceted music platform SB.TV.  
Read more about the MITs
       
Tickets now available for Legends of Rugby 2023  
The star-studded Legends of Rugby event will once again return, to bring music and rugby together! Raising vital funds for Nordoff Robbins. Congratulations to the 2023 Legends, Alex Goode and Emily Scarratt. Book your exclusive table, below!  
Buy Legends of Rugby tickets
       
Get your tickets to the Rock N Roll Circus in Newcastle this June  
We’ve partnered with Rock N Roll Circus! The all-new touring concept that will touch down in Newcastle this June. Enjoy Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The Libertines, Years & Years – as well as a first class circus experience. All in aid of your favourite music charity!   
Buy Rock N Roll Circus tickets        
Our Summer School for music therapists returns in July 2022  
Are you a music therapist? Join our online Summer School to learn more about the Nordoff Robbins approach to music therapy. From workshops, seminars and discussions, to inputting on leading research. We’d love to see you there!   Read more about Summer School    
Thank you for supporting Nordoff Robbins.

You are helping us to create a world where through music therapy, human potential is recognised, witnessed and celebrated – regardless of profound disability, illness or social exclusion.

Awareness is nothing without action – CALM

 


It’s Mental Health Awareness Week…   You’re going to be hearing lots of chat about #awareness. But we know awareness is nothing without action.

The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week this year is loneliness. It’s normal to feel lonely sometimes, but we also know it can make it difficult to get on with your everyday life. We’ve put together some stuff to help you through.   
Take action this MHAW    
How To: Make Mates     Mates. We take the piss out of them, drink pints with them and share deep chats with them, but we can also drift apart from them, or find it hard to make them. Here’s some ways to make new friends and stay connected with old ones.  
Get started    
Kyle Walker teams up with CALM   Winner of three Premier Leagues. Regular for England. Now the designer of a home and away kit for CALM. 

We’ve teamed up with Kyle Walker and Puma to release these limited edition kits that represent the highs and lows of his amazing career – and the support which has helped him through it all. 

Not only can you get your hands on the wicked new kit, FIFA 22 players can also unlock the kits now in FIFA Unlimited Team.   
Get the kit  

 
TAKE ACTION WITH TEAM CALM
Just £8 will answer a potentially life-saving call, so if you want to help support our life-saving services why not do something you love to raise some cash for our services? From burping the national anthem to fund-raving, have a bit of fun and do whatever tickles your pickle. 

Join us  
 
We’re on your side If you’re struggling, remember CALM are here every single day. Whatever it is that’s weighing on your mind, you can talk to us. No matter who you are or what you’re going through, our helpline is here for you. 
Need support?  

 
Supporters of the month Declan rowed a hardcore half a million metres in April to raise life-saving cash for CALM. 

Richard is hosting a kick-about in memory of his mate Micheal. 

Zoe and Huw will be taking on the Swansea Epic Trail this May in memory of mate Mike.

Omar will be hosting a gig in memory of mate Scott. What a legend. 


Our Supporters  
      5pm-midnight ● Free ● Confidential ● Anonymous  

Nordoff Robbins – April update on all things music

   
   
This month Music for Dementia and UK Music released the Power of Music Report which outlines a blueprint to use music to help transform communities and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing. We also share Richard’s music therapy story and serve up a new episode of Behind the Base with PizzaExpress.   
 
   
Power of Music Report  
Did you know music therapy reduces agitation and the need for medication in 67% of people with dementia? The Power of Music Report outlines some of the outstanding academic and scientific research which illustrates the true potential of music as a therapeutic and medical tool.   Read the report      
   
“He just began to flourish in music”   
Richard, a former singer, who suffered a life-threatening stroke last year, has rediscovered his voice thanks to music therapy sessions with Nordoff Robbins. Richard and his music therapist Jo spoke to ITV News Wales about the progress they made together.     Watch on ITV News     
   
Behind the Base with L Devine  
Behind The Base with PizzaExpress returns with yet another musical talent. This month L Devine talks about about expression through songwriting, her first relationship and music that had strong influence, later taking to the stage to perform “Daughter”.   
Watch this episode  
     
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust award Nordoff Robbins £4k    We are delighted to announce that we have received £4,000 of grant funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to support music therapy at Erskine Care Home in Anniesland in the West of Scotland.    Tell me more
     
 
   

Testing times for gluten free

After four weeks going gluten free it is now time to do the pulse test. Basically you try one of the grains, for example wheat, in a meal and you test your pulse before eating and afterwards at various timed intervals. If you pulse increases by 10bpm or more on your first reading then chances are you are intolerant to that particular grain.

I did have a minor lapse last night as helping at the local football club I had a Bakewell tart at half time. Ooopsy as that did make me windy and feel a little off. Shows how the body reacts to something it was used to for many years yet not so happy when it returns!

I also have a salad at lunchtimes now to aid my digestion & gut health. It is tasty but you are very hungry come dinnertime.

Even if certain grains don’t seem to affect me on the pulse test I will keep on reduced gluten intake as I do feel better gut wise. It is a long process I know to get back to my pre-glandular fever days as fatigue still kicks in most days (doubtless aided by the lingering effects of covid). Keeping positive though bar the ridiculous prices shops charge for gluten free products. Although fair play to Nairns who do an excellent & tasty range of gluten free oatcakes and biscuits at reasonable prices.

What is your blood telling you? Part One

  What is your blood telling you?

Have you ever wondered what your blood might be telling you about your health and wellbeing? Using a darkfield microscope can give us a glimpse of what is going on inside your body. In this blog we will look at some of the most common anomalies I see in my client’s blood and how this understanding can impact health.

https://emmamaitland-carew.co.uk/live_blood_analysis_1/  
 

SHOWHEART for the Variety Childrens charity Feb 13-Feb 18

ShowHeart - Online charity event 13-17 February

On Sunday 13 February at 16:00 EST/21:00 GMT Get Ready to ROCK! Radio will be relaying the latest Josh Taerk livestream which this month is part of a world-wide “streamathon” called ShowHeart.

Variety Ontario works with children with disabilities and those who face developmental barriers to achieve their life potential. Variety is a world-recognized leader providing integrated sports and life skills programs, applied research and learning programs that change children’s lives and strengthen communities.

Variety –the Children’s Charity of Ontario (VCCO) – as part of an international campaign  will be hosting their first-ever ‘ShowHeart’ Charity Concert Series.  This five-day international event will begin on February 13 and wrap up on February 18.

ShowHeart  will be hosted on the global streaming platform Twitch and will feature unique around-the-clock entertainment. With over 50 musicians/bands performing 24 hours a day for the entire five days.

Variety – the Children’s Charity has over 40 chapters across eleven countries. This event aims not only to educate communities across the globe but also to connect like-minded individuals. But it also provides a unique fundraising opportunity. As guests stream the event, they will have the opportunity to give donations by simply clicking the donation buttons that pop up on the screen.

Donate
ShowHeart – stream link
More information