Power of music: a plan for harnessing music to improve our health, wellbeing and communities

Author(s)

MEADOWS Grace, MCLENNAN Hannah

Publisher(s):

Music for Dementia, UK Music

Publication year:

2022

This report outlines a four-step framework to use music to help improve the nation’s health and wellbeing. It is based on findings from a survey that ran from June to early July 2021 and received 209 responses. The survey findings highlight the role that music played in supporting physical, mental health and wellbeing of people during the pandemic. The survey findings were used in two workshops with cross-sector stakeholders to explore key themes and test the final set of recommendations, which include: providing better training on the role of music in health and care to frontline worker; designing commissioning plans and care pathways to include music; ensuring all relevant institutions, including the National Academy for Social Prescribing commitment to include a music offer; and ensure integration across the health and social care systems, for example, the Care Quality Commission could explicitly expect services and settings to include music as part of their care. (Edited publisher abstract)