Intergenerational Music Making (IMM) is looking forward to showcasing some of the wonderful programmes we run within care homes during Care Home Open Week 2022.
Who are we?
IMM is a pioneering national not for profit organisation working to advance intergenerational practise in music within health, wellbeing and community development. We do this through our:
- Programmes
- Training
- Research
We deliver direct music-based programmes as well as offering innovative training opportunities to young people, music practitioners, healthcare workers, volunteers and students, aimed at empowering individuals to develop music practice in their setting.
Our work uses arts for social purpose, bringing the healing power of music to care homes, hospitals schools and community groups. Programmes include workshops, music therapy, training and creative social hubs.
We work closely with hundreds of care homes across the UK where many of our projects are delivered.
IMM’s aims are to:
1. Improve community cohesion through intergenerational relationships
2. To reduce feelings of isolation amongst older people and young people, particularly for those living alone and minoritised communities.
3. To improve sense of self-worth and self-esteem for older and younger alike
4. To empower individuals to be drivers of change within the music, health, and wellbeing discourse
5. To encourage and nurture a network of connection across sectors, professionals, and generations; built upon music.
Our projects:
Together with Music (TwM)
In December 2020 we launched Together with Music, a national, intergenerational programme that connects schools, community groups and creatives to their local care homes and older people through music. An innovative partnership between Care England and Intergenerational Music Making (IMM) is working to connect the two groups of our communities most effected by the pandemic.
Since the launch of Together with Music in 2020, the platform has been host to over 1,250 organisations across the health, social care, education and arts sector establishing so many new, intergenerational connections and demonstrating that during a challenging time of distance and isolation, music prevails and has inspired incredible connection.
“I can see the difference Together with Music is making and the multitude of benefits that come from connections between generations and communities. Together with Music is creative and responsive and is going to be transformational for overall wellbeing and quality of life.”
Professor Martin Green OBE, CEO of Care England
The Together with Music programme as a whole build’s relationships in and across communities, promoting long term partnership working and strong intergenerational relationships between care homes, older people and their local schools and young people for a mutual benefit.
Post Pandemic
As we emerge from the pandemic, we begin again, working to shift and respond to changing landscapes and therefore, changing needs. Social connection and finding ways to encourage and nurture in person interaction is vital to how we recover and rehabilitate post pandemic. Our focus for 2022 and following years is rooted in delivery and training through the delivery of Together with Music and our Move and Groove project.
Our projects will continue to bring together targeted groups so those socially and economically deprived across all communities to come together in creating unique music projects. We support older and younger people within the community through intergenerational music-based activities with a view to reduce social isolation and enhance their mental health and wellbeing. Our work is rooted in empowering individuals and groups. Our training aims to inspire, equip and further embed the use of music and more specifically intergenerational practice in care, health, community and education settings.
Why music?
There is substantial evidence around the positive impact of music and singing for improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life for people, both young and old and everyone in between. Everyone has the ability to respond to music and we use this connection to facilitate positive changes in emotional wellbeing and communication. Music and music making can help build confidence and empathy, develop cognitive and communication skills, improve learning and care whilst increase mutual understanding to tackle divisions whilst creating more cohesive communities. Music has the power to encourage socialisation and new connections, creativity challenging inhibitions and fostering musical expression. Together with Music has demonstrated that offering people of all ages a creative outlet and a way of connecting with the world has a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Recent publicity has generated interest in singing and music as an intervention to support people recovering from the widespread impact of Covid-19.
We believe everyone should have the chance to live life to the full. Our intergenerational music programmes give children and older people the opportunity to do so. Working together they create art they can feel proud of, gain an increased sense of belonging and feelings of support wellbeing. We want to promote the power of music in our countries healing and future prosperity, further uniting us through shared musical experiences.
Projects taking place in care homes during Care Home Open Week include Move & Groove, Together with Music’s newest initiative in collaboration with The Youth Sport Trust (YST).
Move & Groove combines the worlds of music and movement to support the mental and physical wellbeing of both the young and the old. The six-week project which is currently piloting in 10 care homes across the UK began with training for teachers and care givers, empowering them to continue the work after the project concludes.
The project includes innovative research conducted by our research partners, South Bank University to evaluate the physical and mental benefits of the programme through measuring and comparing levels of Cortisol (widely known as the stress hormone) in participants both at the start and conclusion of the project.
Move & Groove is already delivering some joyous moments for both the care home residents and the school children.
The ultimate aim is for Move and Groove to become a regular national programme within care homes to accelerate the growth and impact of intergenerational practice and maximise the health and social benefits of young and old alike.
Care Home Open Week – Move & Groove Zoom Party
We will also host a special Move and Groove Sing-a-long to celebrate Care Home Open Week. This special Zoom party Sing-a-long invites care homes and their connections to join us in an hour or music and movement on Thursday 30th June at 11:30 am. The event is all about connection and bringing people together through the power of music.
Care Home Open Week – Move & Groove Song Writing & Movement Challenge
Care homes are also invited to take part in a Move & Groove Song Writing & Movement Challenge to work together with residents, families, staff and community to create an original song along with unique actions to accompany it.
To find out more about Move and Groove and Together with Music and to register interest for being involved in future projects, visit www.togetherwithmusic.org.uk
To find out more visit: www.togetherwithmusic.org.uk www.imm-music.com
