Taking a leaf out of Italy's book

I don’t know about you but trying to stay positive about the current pandemic is becoming increasingly challenging. It feels like the list of uncertainties is growing by the hour, however I’m feeling inspired by the Italians having watched several trending videos. They know the transforming power music has and seeing them come together from their balconies, singing, shaking tambourines and generally laughing along to live music has touched and encouraged me hugely in the past couple of days.

Music has a healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours. – Elton John

I have been in self-isolation since Saturday and have had to postpone running project sessions for the time being. We’re waiting to see if and when the government chooses to close schools, which will obviously impact on our ability to run school-based sessions too. Despite being in limbo we are still in contact with schools and are arranging sessions to go ahead as planned.

We know that covid-19 is causing many people real anxiety and I’m sure that children’s mental health services will be put under pressure in the coming weeks and months, but as creatives we have opportunities in front of us. We can use our gifts and skills to encourage people around us. If you are still able to run your projects as normal for the time being, help the young people to have as much fun making music as possible! There is one young person I’m working with at the moment who struggles with low mood, but as soon as she’s got a ukulele in her hands I notice a huge change in her body language and self-esteem – she starts smiling and laughing and appears to be genuinely content in that moment. If your project is paused for the time being, like mine is, put in the time to make music with those around you like the Italians are doing! Music is so good for the soul and we could all do with a boost right now.

Written by Omi, Therapeutic Music Programme Co-ordinator