Magic moments through music at day centres

Hundreds of vulnerable people living across South West Wales have been coming together to enjoy the shared experience of a live music concert at their local day centres.

Harpist Joy Cornock was joined by WPD’s Mark Phillips, as she entertained visitors to Tenby Cottage Hospital Day Centre.

We have provided funding for 15 free live music sessions performed by professional musicians.

The initiative follows a partnership between the company and charity Music in Hospitals & Care which provides nearly 4,500 sessions each year across the UK. These bespoke, interactive concerts are designed to improve the quality of life for vulnerable, elderly and disabled people who attend health care centres.

One visitor at the Day Centre in Tenby Cottage Hospital experienced a particularly moving response to the music. The Senior Carer, Sing Taylor, told us her story:

“Mair lives with her husband in Pembrokeshire and is originally from North Wales. Her first language is Welsh and she is living with dementia, which on times causes her to experience great depths of anxiety and confusion, which can be very upsetting and distressing for her.

"Tenby Day Centre was fortunate to have a wonderful young woman Joy Cornock who came to sing and play the harp. It was a joy to see Mair taking part and she joined in singing in Welsh to every song and listened intently to it all.

"This brought a tear to my eye as usually Mair on times struggles to join in and even to make conversation. This music session was wonderful and it certainly improved and help remove Mari’s anxieties and agitation, giving her a true feeling of happiness.

"It lifted her spirits and enabled Mair in that moment to connect with the music, sing in Welsh and fully participate. Mair looked so happy and to see her singing along to every word in Welsh and some English songs was amazing and a real privilege to witness.”

At each of the concerts we have been promoting our Priority Services Register (PSR), which is a free service enabling vulnerable people to get priority support in the event of a power cut.

WPD’s Karen Welch explained: “Power cuts happen sometimes for reasons beyond our control, and we know how worrying it can be, especially if you rely on electricity for medical equipment or if you are elderly, vulnerable or disabled.

“Our PSR is designed to give people with specific needs a little extra help when they need it, and our partnership with MIHC is enabling us to reach some of our more vulnerable customers in rural areas of West Wales.”

You can find more information about our Priority Services Register here, and for more information about Music in Hospitals & Care, click here.