The event, co-produced by Cygnet and NAPICU, brought together like-minded staff, music therapists, academics, and individuals with lived experience to celebrate the profound impact of music therapy on mental health and well-being.
The day was filled with enlightening sessions from music therapists like Chris Baron from Music Ability Cornwall and esteemed academics on this topic, such as Mat Le Mare from the University of Derby.
These subject matter experts shared their insights on the transformative power of music therapy, highlighting its role in recovery. This also included engaging workshops demonstrating cost effective ways of implementing music therapy within in-patient settings through exercises such as ‘body percussion’.
A highlight of the event was the showcase of Cygnet’s Music 2 Empower programme. Music 2 Empower is an initiative by Cygnet Health Care that was founded in October 2019 by the Expert by Experience team.
The initiative aims to bring the positive effects of music therapy across services, whilst also showcasing talent and providing people with lived experience a platform and resources to express themselves through music.
Raf Hamaizia, Group Expert by Experience lead presented on how the M2E programme has empowered individuals with lived experience, to use music as a self-help tool whilst also showcasing their talents. It was explained that this does not only supports participants in their own recovery, but also provides hope to others.
The presentation on Music 2 Empower included a number of episodes showcasing talents and music related projects within in-patient services.
Two former service users (David and Levi) who had previously taken part in a Music 2 Empower episode at Cygnet Woking also presented and reflected on how the programme supported their journey to becoming experts by experience.
Following the event Raf said: “This was an inspirational day which enabled people from across the sector- NHS and independent providers alike – to share and learn from each-other. Music is one of the oldest and longest running forms of therapies, is is evidence based and ought to be embedded into services more to enable us to truly harness its full potential.
“Moving forward from the success of this event, Cygnet and NAPICU are hoping to continue the collaboration by having annual on Tune Into Empowerment events moving forward.
“We would like to give a special thanks to all who attended and supported the day including delegates, speakers, Cygnets Co-production team and partners at NAPICU for ensuring this events success.”