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...
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...
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...
After a gap of almost two years, we are very pleased that music therapy with children at the Great North Children’s Hospital has been resumed. Clare Hunt is the new music therapist there, having started at the beginning of this year. Clare says ‘I’ve just completed my second week at...
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,...
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...
Since November 2020, Kirsty Ormston has been developing the Music Therapy Service on the Neonatal Unit at University College Hospital, London. Music therapy has helped with interaction, soothing, and bonding, and has provided many families with the confidence to sing with their infant. Music therapy also provides an opportunity for...
After a year and a half of being silenced, York’s chamber orchestra, the Academy of St Olave’s, celebrated getting back to live concerts with a popular programme in aid of Jessie’s Fund. The Academy of St Olave’s and Jessie’s Fund have strong links: the orchestra’s director is Alan George, Jessie’s...
Our events celebrating our 25th anniversary last year had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, but we are thrilled that some have been rescheduled. The performance of Messiah by The English Concert, directed by our Patron Trevor Pinnock, will be at 7.30pm on Friday 15th October 2021, at St...
