Hospice:
 Sound can be especially helpful to the dying, bringing about a sense of order, harmony, peace and well-being; beneficial too for relatives, friends and carers. It has been an enormous privilege to work in end-of-life care with patients, their loved-ones and staff in hospice and hospital settings. It has been a blessing and honour to be with someone at this special time of their life.
I have been very moved by hearing how my music has been used as a source of comfort for the dying and also their loved-ones and carers. Songs are sometimes played at funerals or memorial services, and have provided solace to friends and family grieving the loss of a loved one. My compositions are often legacies arising from inspirational meetings I have with courageous patients in end-of-life care. To hear examples please go to:
RECORDINGS.
In 2006 I was thrilled to be awarded a Winston Churchill Travel Fellowship to go to the USA and research 'Music as Medicine in Palliative Care'. This unique six week experience visiting centres of excellence gave me a fresh boost of courage, confirmation in the value of my work and a renewed hope to see more musicians as equal players in palliative care. It has
been put to good use in several hospices since my return. You can read the report by
clicking here.
'Seize the Day' was a three month sound and song project at the Martlets Hospice, Brighton, for patients, relatives and staff. Through making music together, the aim of these sessions was to empower participants to ‘find their voice’ as a tool for wellbeing and self-expression, as well as to co-write and record a song which would convey thoughts inspired by this process. During sessions participants used vocal activities to open the heart and mind, and these activities stimulated conversations and song about friendship, wisdom, courage and ways of looking at life. The composition of an inspiring song followed and
Seize the Day was recorded by hospice patients and staff. It has been launched as a single on CD, a most wonderful legacy for the participants to leave, and the song is now a fund-raiser for the Martlets Hospice. You can purchase it
from the Martlets Hospice website: Click
Here.
“I wasn’t too sure at first – not really my thing you know – not until now anyway. What was the best was when we’d done the song – the words and everything – and I knew which bits were mine – I could say “that was my word or my line”. It made me feel proud of what I’d contributed. The day we recorded it all was really special – I can’t describe how much it meant to me.” Tony, hospice patient.
“This inspiring project was fully embraced by patients and staff at the Hospice. The patients involved found the experience both stimulating and rewarding. Sharing the project with others also heightened the pleasure for those participating.” Imelda Glackin, Director of Community and Outpatients Services |
Contact Lou
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