Penarthstroke Proposal

Proposed Service Development: Penarth & District Stroke Support Group

Background Further to my meeting with Penny Evans, secretary of Penarth & District Stroke Support Group in November 2009, it was agreed that the opportunity of offering a music therapy service to stroke patients and their families/carers would potentially be a helpful and beneficial service. Music Therapy Music Therapy offers a way of helping people through the medium of music. It provides an opportunity for people to express themselves and interact with others more easily through the use of improvised music making. In Music Therapy both therapist and client/s play together on a variety of tuned and untuned musical instruments. There is no right or wrong way to play the instruments as the emphasis is not on the technical aspects of playing but on the act of communicating and relating to each other. Clients are not directed to play and as such the music will tend to arise as a natural consequence of the issues and feelings that are brought. A typical session will involve exploring and playing the instruments provided and talking and thinking about the thoughts and feelings arising from the experience. Clients may wish not to talk at all and instead work just through the music. Proposed Service Development A 6 month pilot project is proposed which will support both stroke patients and their carers. This service will consist of: •

Stroke Patients Music Therapy Group A weekly music therapy group will be offered. The group will be limited to a maximum of four people and each group will last 60 minutes.

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Carers Music Therapy Group A weekly music therapy group will be provided for Carers. Group size will be limited to seven people and each group will last 60 minutes.

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The project will be facilitated by a Music Therapist registered to the Health Professions Council. All instruments and equipment will be provided by the facilitator and Penarth Stroke Group will provide the venue.

Aims and Outcomes The primary aim of the service is to improve the quality of life of stroke patients and their carers and enhance their psychological, social, emotional and physical well being. The outcomes of music therapy are wide ranging and often vary according to the needs of the person receiving it. Objectives of the Stroke Patients Group • • • •

To engage patients in a therapeutic process To offer a creative outlet where feelings can be expressed non-verbally and contained within a safe and confidential setting To encourage communication, social interaction and self-expression To offer a group experience where patients have an opportunity to feel a sense of community and belonging through shared musicmaking

Outcomes of the Stroke Patients Group • • •

Positive changes in well being, leading to enhanced levels of selfconfidence and self-esteem Prevention of skills deterioration, psycho-social difficulties or social exclusion A sense of emotional release and self-acceptance

Objectives of the Carers Group: • •

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To engage carers in a therapeutic process To offer a creative outlet where feelings and thoughts can be expressed verbally/non-verbally and contained within a safe and confidential setting To encourage opportunities for reflection and discussion arising out of the music-making where life experiences can be shared and acknowledged

Outcomes of the Carers Group

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• • •

Positive changes in well being, leading to enhanced levels of selfconfidence and self-esteem A sense of emotional release A greater awareness of their feelings and themselves in relation to others

Project Monitoring and Evaluation A register of all those who have received music therapy will be recorded. This will include number of clients, number of sessions attended, referral criteria (if appropriate), plus details of their age, gender and ethnic background. Questionnaires, where and when appropriate, will be handed to those who use the service. Testimonials from service users (if appropriate) and volunteers involved in the service will also provide a measure of the quality of service provided. Professional standards and practice require Music Therapists to write up notes of each session and where possible, video/audio record sessions. These notes and recordings provide a confidential clinical record of the therapeutic process and document any observed changes in the client. These records are for clinical purposes only. However, general observations of a client’s response will be noted. Project Costs Fees are guided by the Association of Professional Music Therapists. Individual sessions start at £35.00 and groups at £65 per session. Included in this charge is time set aside for writing up notes, setting up and arranging instruments/room, plus any staff hand-over time (if appropriate). Also as part of their reflective practice, Music Therapists are required to receive regular clinical supervision with an experienced Arts Therapist/Psychotherapist. This costs £45.00 per session and is included as part of the project. 3

Breakdown of costs will be: 2 Music Therapy Groups (24 weeks @ £65 per group) Clinical Supervision (once a month: 6 sessions @ £45.00)

£3120 £ 270

Total Cost of pilot project

£3390

Project Funding It is envisaged that funding will be sought in collaboration with the Penarth Stroke Support Group. This should increase the likelihood of funding being secured. Funding will be applied for through grant and charitable trust applications. Following an evaluation and review process, a report will be produced and recommendations made. If the pilot is deemed successful by all parties, further funding will be sought to maintain and extend the service. Further Information To discuss this proposal, please contact: Robin Wiltshire Email: [email protected] Tel: 0789 6881428 9th December 2009

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