We’re delighted that this autumn we will be returning to face-to-face training courses, having been almost entirely online since the end of 2019. We have a new ‘blended’ format, but still lots fantastic ideas and techniques for making music with children who have complex needs. There will be a course...
In November 2020 Kirsty Ormston started in post as music therapist at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at London’s University College Hospital. The pilot year of this role was funded by Jessie’s Fund. An article describing the work and containing a poignant case study was published recently in the...
Our journey with James Rennie School in Cumbria started in what now feels like a different age, September 2018, when we started a conversation with Kerry, the Assistant Head, about training for the staff team. She and Kris, the Head Teacher, had realised that music could be used to improve...
Since Jessie’s Fund started on its mission we have reached all areas of the country, sharing the communicative powers of music in children’s hospices, special schools, hospitals, child development centres and early learning settings. Whilst we don’t get complacent (in the full knowledge that there is so much more to...
We’re delighted that, with our support in partnership with the Friends of York Hospital, it has been possible to reinstate music therapy for children at York Hospital. After our successful pilot project, the end of which was brought about due to the pandemic, music therapist Aby Vulliamy has just started...
Little Bridge House is one of three hospices run by Children’s Hospice South West: Jessie’s Fund has supported music therapy there for some time. Ceridwen Rees, the music therapist at Little Bridge House, was furloughed during the first lockdown, and tells us that when she went back, staff and families...
On Sunday 3rd April there will be an informal coffee morning concert in Hawstead, near Bury St Edmunds, given by Fran Evershed (flute), Jo Ward (oboe and piano), Ray Alexander (violin) and Ros Alexander (cello and piano). After being offered a cup of coffee on arrival, guests will be treated to...
As well as a range of unique cards, we have some lovely bits and bobs in our little shop: as an example, for children there are simple and attractive musical instruments like this animal tambourine with a gentle sound, and for adults there are useful bags, or environmentally friendly reusable,...
Having had a great campaign last year, we’ve taken part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge again. Donations made between Tuesday 30th November and Tuesday 7th December were doubled by our two generous ‘pledgers’, the Victoria Wood Foundation and The Lake House Charitable Foundation, who each pledged £5,000. This encouraged...
Special schools have faced many challenges during the pandemic – caring for medically vulnerable pupils, maintaining social distancing and bubbles, and dealing with the additional emotional and mental health needs of their pupils. Schools could no longer have visitors on site, so all Jessie’s Fund’s projects were postponed at the...
