Comments from the MFH Team Past & Present
Amy
Farnham, Headley Down, Beacon Hill, Haslemere and Sundry Areas
“I feel thrilled to be able to do a job that fulfills my passion for music. That works around my family, and gives as much pleasure to me as it does to the Residents that I love to work with”
Joined MFH December 2023
Megan
Bordon, Liss, Liphook, Petersfield and Alton
“Absolutely love creating a positive atmosphere. Really rewarding seeing Residents smile”
Joined MFH December 2023
Margaret Oliver
Eastbourne
“My working life is a happy one, so if you see a woman driving a car in and around Eastbourne area with a smile on her face for no apparent reason, it’s me!!!”
Joined MFH February 2004
Tracey Stewart-Fry
Sevenoaks / East Gristead
“I have been running Music for Health workshops in and around Sevenoaks September 2008, and I still love it as much as the day I began. One of the things I love most about Music for Health is that you become such an important part of so many people lives, and they all become really important to you. The residents love the music and the activities we do together but they also appreciate the laughter, the smiles and the genuine sense of enjoyment they feel coming from us workshop leaders. The music we use is so beautiful, and fun, and full of memories for the residents, and it’s a delight to share it with them.
Many people say to me that it must be wonderful to know that you are helping to make so many people so much happier, and of course that’s true. But what’s also true is how the workshops, and the residents, are able to uplift us as leaders, and if I wake up feeling a bit grumpy, I can guarantee a workshop will make me feel so much better! When a resident holds your hand, beams a beautiful smile at you and thanks you for giving them a wonderful hour, how can you not feel that you’ve got the best job in the world!”
Joined MFH September 2008
Richard Pinder
Shipley/Ilkley
“I love this job, I’m enjoying every minute. How often can you can you say that about a job?”
Joined MFH March 2008
Sue Harding
Hayling Island
“I have been a part of Music For Health for nearly 12 years now. I cover Hayling Island, Havant and Waterlooville areas and I visit 20 homes regularly every month. I have a mixture of care homes for the elderly and homes for adults with learning difficulties. My youngest groups are in their 20’s and the oldest are in their 90’s, with a few over 100. We have fun and laughter at every workshop and I love to think of all the residents and carers as friends. I think Music For Health is the best job in the world.”
Joined MFH Septemeber 2005
Tony & Louise James
WesternSuper-Mare
“We so enjoy sharing ‘Music for Health’ workshops and seeing every day the amazing results with so many of the lovely residents in our local care homes. The welcome and special bonding that results is delightful and heart-warming, not just to us, staff and visitors notice it too! Seeing them interacting with us and becoming energised and uplifted really proves the power of the workshops. We just love what we do!”
Joined MFH June 2015
Andrea Connolly
Southampton East
“I so look forward to ‘going to work’ it really just feels like I am going to sing songs and listen to music with friends! It is so humbling to see residents with few communication skills joining in the singing, activities and with the instruments. By the end of a session everyone has a big smile on their face!
I definitely have the best job in the world”
Joind MFH March 2019
James Edge
Carlisle/N Cumbria
“As a music lover there is no better feeling than experiencing the connection music provides between people, and I get to enjoy it too with every session I do. To share residents’ emotions and their own love of music is a real privilege.”
Joined MFH February 2013
Heather Chzan
Tunbridge Wells
“It’s a great job. Actually, it’s not a job at all! There is never a workshop that goes by that doesn’t bring joy to many and have special significance for someone, whether for a resident, family member, volunteer, carer or me!”
Joined MFH November 2011
Beth & Tina Ellis
Lincoln
Tina Says, “Music has always been a huge part of my life. I am trained in singing and piano. I’m mad about Beethoven and have a special passion for Mario Lanza, classical music and of course music of the 50’s and 60’s – I’m also a qualified nurse including mental health and with older – but young at heart residents. Music is a language we can all relate to, it is integral to connecting with our bodies and our minds and I can’t wait to share your own musical journeys with you”
Beth says, “I’m very much looking forward to our new venture ‘Music for Health’ particularly meeting lots of new and exciting people and getting involved in a bit of singing, dancing and the quizzes.
Joined MFH August 2017
Stuart Girvan
Bury-Bolton
“What Music for Health means to me: I have never felt so happy and relaxed going to work as I have since I started doing Music for Health workshops. The workshops are so active and stimulating; it is such a rewarding experience to see the happiness and pleasure that they bring to the residents of the homes I visit.”
Joined MFH September 2008
Anastasia Cole
Sawbridgeworth
“I love music! I really love music! How lucky to have been introduced to Music for Health. I wouldn’t say I was shy but perhaps just little conscious when first starting to introduce my workshops to residents. It’s now full swing ahead, no matter what the weather we sing and dance together. We laugh, and we cry together as music fills hearts and minds.”
Joined MFH May 2008
Janet East, Ted & Sharon
Medway
“Sharon and I came to Music for Health from different work environments. Sharon worked in a Children’s Nursery and I was employed in an administrative role with the local Social Services. We deliver the workshops, Ted, a retired Bank Manager, is trained to deliver workshops but prefers a ‘back room’ role.
All of us have benefited enormously from our involvement with Music for Health, you can almost say that it has been ‘life changing’. Ted, Sharon and I have had some amazing experiences. Even after a really busy day, as I flop on to the sofa gasping for a cup of tea, I think about the smiles on the residents’ faces and the thanks that I receive and I am grateful for the day that I became part of the Music for Health family. Sharon completely agrees with my feelings.”
Joined MFH October 2008
Sarah Grinsell
Ashford
“I have worked for Music for Health for 3 years now. It has been the most fulfilling and rewarding job that I have ever done. I have the privilege of seeing people change and begin to interact with me and each other as the wonder of the workshop unfolds. To be a part of something that brings such happiness and life is a true pleasure and I think makes me as happy as the workshops are meant to make others.”
Joined MFH November 2022
Marina Morris
S.E London
“I have a new lease of life and it makes me so very happy! That is because at each workshop, I see such friendly people who queue up to join in my Music For Health Workshops. This work is a gift! Look at the feedback that I have been getting from managers and activity coordinators:-
I would like to thank you for being such a positive activity in our residents’ lives.” “The Activities Team, the Care Team and more importantly The Residents love every one of your sessions and are full of nothing but praise.” “I personally benefit from the peace of mind I get, knowing that our residents are engaged and happy when you visit.” The residents themselves remember me and are full of joy to see me. Is it any wonder that my life is now so enriched? This is the best job I have ever had.”
Joined MFH November 2013
Helen Lord
Alton/Haslemere
“I’ve been with Music for Health for 16 years and I STILL go to work with a smile on my face. I love knowing that I have been responsible for changing residents lives for the better by giving them an hour of fun and relaxation using the power of music. It’s really emotionally rewarding, flexible work that suits my family life. And I feel that bringing enjoyment into other people lives just doing my job, is a real privilege.
The beautiful music creates a sense of happiness and joy, to see the residents join in is so rewarding for me.”
Joined MFH November 2007
Carl Bryant
Swansea
Recruitment & Training Manager
“Music to me has been the most important part of my life. I have always loved music from a very young age. I love how everyone can relate to a certain style of music. I have been very fortunate to experience first hand how powerful music can be. I have seen music give people hope, confidence and happiness. I have only just started working for Music for Health and I have already seen how amazing and effective the workshops are, seeing many faces smiling and clapping and laughing with the staff and I. Music helps people and it also gets people together. And that is why I love music so much.”
Joined MFH March 2017
Stella Banks
Canterbury
“I have been working with Music for Health for two years now. I actually started in 2020, but of course the pandemic brought everything to a halt. I love going into the care homes and interacting with the residents. I always go early, so that I can greet and chat with everyone before we start. It’s a joy to see so many residents joining in with the singing and the activities. I especially love the times when I help someone to shake a pompom or rattle an instrument and a big smile breaks out on their face! I also love it when relatives of the residents are there and can see the joy that the music and activities bring their loved one”
Joined MFH October 2021
Ali Timms
Bournemouth
“I absolutely love going to work because every day I see how Music for
Health brings life and joy to the residents. I often perceive a positive
shift in the atmosphere and the mood of the residents – and the staff who
join in – is always lifted due to the excellent content of the workshops!”
Joined MFH June 2012
David Jones
Nottingham West
I’m 68 and have worked in many sectors in my life but have never worked at anything that gives me so much job satisfaction as Music for Health.
I really enjoy seeing the elderly people I work with treating me as a friend and opening up to the different facets of the Music for Health workshops.
Also it is so satisfying when the staff of the care homes tell me that the residents look forward to MFH programmes above other entertainment or activity and of how much the workshops change the atmosphere in the home.
Joined MFH July 2008
Emily Lewis
Ashford
Running Music for Health workshops has been such a fantastic job. To see how much joy it brings to residents has been so wonderful. I have currently stopped running workshops due to having a baby,but I am still part of and still love being involve with the Music for Health team.
Joined MFH September 2008
Heather Frost
Torquay
I love being a member of Music for Health. I get so much fulfillment from enriching the lives of others. At the end of the day my face aches from laughing and smiling.
Joined MFH August 2008
Helen Brunton
Manchester West
“Sometimes the atmosphere of sheer joy and emotion sets my spine tingling, reminding me once again how lucky I am to do this job”
Jasmine Darke
Bristol West
I’m so very glad that I met the MFH team and that I am doing the Music for Health workshops”
Joined MFH April 2009
Kirstie Davidson
Worthing
As someone who is passionate about the emotional well-being in the care environment it has been a privilege to share Music for Health with residents in the Worthing area. It is inspiring & fulfilling to see the power of music work its magic.
Joined MFH September 2015
Linda Peace
Cheltenham
My joy is encouraging people of all ages into laughter, fun, and experiencing a new aspect of themselves. Life is an adventure; we are each very special and we always have something wonderful to offer. I would be thrilled to share an initial ‘Music For Health’ workshop with you, free of charge, where we can experience together the joy of being alive through music!
Joined MFH July 2005
Melissa Todd
Ramsgate/Broadstairs
I have taken Music for Health workshops in Broadstairs area for more that three years now, and I’ve loved every minute of it. The change I’ve seen in my participants has been absolutely phenomenal- improvements in confidence, sleep quality. dexterity and memory have all been reported, while the enjoyment they garner from the activities is utterly apparent throughout! I have always been a performer, and bring a high energy approach to the workshops which the residents really respond to.
Joined MFH January 2014
Pat & Jeff Hobden
Cornwall
“Music for Health can and does change people’s lives – not only the residents, their families and carers, but those of us delivering the workshops”
Joined MFH September 2008
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