Music Therapy Workshop
One of the workshops that we run and feel passionately about the benefits of is our music therapy workshop.
Every Wednesday, between the hours of 9 and 2, the sound of drums, singing and laughter can be heard streaming from the church hall in Salford. People of all ages come to join in, express themselves and most importantly have fun.
Revive is running this weekly music therapy workshop with the help of Toni Beardsall, who works for Nordoff Robbins – an organisation that strives to change vulnerable lives through the power of music.
“Ultimately, it’s about bringing people together” said Toni, “and music inherently does this“.
Creating a feeling of community and building a sense of security is something that Revive sees as vitally important. Music is a powerful tool in doing so, as it transcends all language barriers. It is an incredibly powerful way for the people who use our services to come together, explore emotions and enjoy themselves all at once.
Ibrahim from Eritrea has been coming to the sessions for the past three weeks. Although his level of English is still fairly low, he enjoys the group atmosphere and is an incredibly enthusiastic participant.
“It is also a powerful reinforcement of culture”, says Toni. Music is an enormous part of someone’s culture – and therefore it’s an integral aspect of their identity. Losing your sense identity amidst grief and displacement can have massively detrimental effects on someone’s self-confidence, which can affect people on a number of levels. Through music, people are able to express themselves in a natural way and feel a part of something – gaining confidence in doing so.
Settling into this country is tough. For some people, who are struggling to fit in, make friends and navigate the complex British bureaucratic system, these few hours a week provide precious rest-bite. It is a time to clear their mind.
As Amin, from Iraq, explained: “Sometimes your mind is busy”. He also said that he found that “Music and dancing are good for relaxing”.
Toni is keen to get more volunteers involved to participate in the workshops too, as music is such a powerful bonding tool.
Think you might be interested in getting involved? Let us know. Speak to our volunteer co-ordinator today to see how you can support us or give us a call – you can find further details on our contact page.