Music Therapy brings rhythm and fun to Walsall Manor Hosptial

Jackie Roxborough is a highly acclaimed music therapist with more than thirty years experience in volce work and musicianship.

In July 2011 she came to Walsall Manor Hospital to run a music therapy session on a ward where most of the patients had suffered a stroke.

The results were very moving. During the hour long session she gently guided the patients and some of their visitors through a warm up session of singing and gentle exercises. She then encouraged them all to sing a selection of popular songs, using arm movements whenever they felt it was appropriate. It was a joy to see how some people, who were initially quite apprehensive about the session, soon began to take an active part in everything. Everyone seemed to appreciate the message and the fun behind it all.

Many of the patients did not believe they would be able to contribute very much to the sessions. So, they were thrilled to discover that were able to join in all the activities in some way. One lady, who sadly had no voice at all, took it upon herself to 'mime' the trumpet section of one song much to the delight of everyone who watched her.

Feedback was hugely encouraging with many people commenting on how their spirits had been lifted by the experience. One lady commented that she usually needed extra oxygen to get her through the day but, during and immediately after the session, she hadn't felt she needed it.

Many of the visitors enjoyed the session too, partly because they had found singing in a group very therapeutic but also because they had been delighted to see their loved ones look so happy by the end of the session.