Each year, in partnership with O2, Nordoff Robbins hosts the O2 Silver Clef Awards. A music industry fundraising event that recognises and celebrates the talent of some of the world’s biggest artists while raising vital funds for Nordoff Robbins – a charity dedicated to delivering life-changing music therapy to vulnerable people across the UK. 

This year, in partnership with O2 and Nordoff Robbins, Radio X are giving you the chance to get involved. 

NORDOFF ROBBINS CHANGES LIVES THROUGH MUSIC… LET US KNOW HOW MUSIC HAS CHANGED YOURS.

Share your #lifechangingmusic story with @O2music on Twitter or Instagram to be in with a chance of winning your very own award at the event alongside some of the UK’s biggest artists. 

One winner will receive the coveted O2 Silver Clef Fan of the Year Award, an award that celebrates what it means to be a music fan,  at the event that has honoured the likes of One Direction, Little Mix, Mumford & Sons and Anne-Marie. Alongside receiving the award, the winner will take a VIP trip to the event on 6 July 2018, walk the carpet with the stars, and enjoy a night’s stay in a London hotel. Runners up will win a pair of tickets to a show of their choice at an O2 Academy venue.

Find out more here

Laura* is 12 years old and attends Clifton Hill School, a special needs secondary school in Surrey. She has the genetic disorder Triple X Syndrome and severe learning difficulties. Here music therapist Kerry tells Laura's story. 

Laura was referred to music therapy after showing severe signs of anxiety at school, refusing to take part in almost all lessons and tasks, and to eat or drink during the day.

Quiet and closed off, Laura began her music therapy sessions in September 2016 – initially she was very reluctant to take part, play by herself or share any ideas, and became very upset. But as our work progressed, Laura started to become curious, wanted to learn and grew more relaxed. She began to try different instruments and explore sounds.

Soon, Laura became enthusiastic about coming to sessions, and after a few months would get up in class when it was her turn, saying “me now!” – a far cry from the girl who once wouldn’t even come into the room. Her demeanour completely changed – Laura became lively and playful in her music and her teachers said she had become confident, happy and relaxed in lessons. She started eating again in school, and taking part in class activities with vigour.

A very special moment came when in one session Laura told me she wanted to play the ukulele in front of her class – so we did, together. Her classmates gave her a huge cheer and Laura grinned, red-faced, before giving her teaching assistant a hug. This act of bravery would have been unthinkable just 12 months earlier.

Laura’s teacher said “When she performed to the class, I had a tear in my eye. I’d never seen her like that – it meant so much knowing where she was before and where she is now.”

Music therapy has given Laura the chance to shine, and I am proud to have been able to help her along the way.

Kerry, music therapist

*Name changed for confidentiality purposes. Laura is pictured with music therapist, Harriet. 

Nordoff Robbins, the UK’s leading music therapy charity are set to benefit from a dedicated three-year charity partnership deal with long-term supporters, O2.   

Having supported the charity since 2005 in the form of headline sponsor of the O2 Silver Clef Awards – the charity's flagship event which raises funds for their life-changing work - O2 have been instrumental in the charity's fundraising efforts.

The O2 Silver Clef Awards has raised £10.5 million for Nordoff Robbins to date, and since O2 became headline sponsor 13 years ago, the event has raised over £6.5 million for Nordoff Robbins. The funds raised at the event last year alone helped Nordoff Robbins deliver 29,725 music therapy sessions to 7,916 people having long term support - that is 3,225 more sessions than in 2016, helped largely by the support of O2 and the O2 Silver Clef Awards.

To date, the sum of the O2’s support equates to paying for over 200 individuals to receive a year’s worth of dedicated one-to-one music therapy, or could train 22 students – that is more than one full year group - on the Master of Music Therapy programme, with no cost to the student or charity; opportunities crucial to a charity that receives no government funding.

Last year, O2 also gave Nordoff Robbins the tools to deliver life-changing music therapy to children and young people from the local community in Newcastle, by donating instruments which had formed centre pieces on tables at the 2017 O2 Silver Clef Awards to the charities first-of-its-kind music therapy centre outside of London.

This further three-year commitment from O2 signals huge opportunities for the O2 Silver Clef Awards as an event to grow and evolve, helping to boost awareness and reach new audiences, and for Nordoff Robbins, the partnership will directly support the charity's organisational objectives to expand provision, reach more people in more places, and ensure that music therapy is available to all those who need it.

Gareth Griffiths, Head of Sponsorship at O2, said: Nordoff Robbins are a charity very close to our heart, and we’re proud to continue our longstanding partnership, supporting the fantastic work they do with music therapy. At O2 we recognise the power music can have on people’s lives, which is why the O2 Silver Clef Awards not only celebrates the biggest names in music, but also helps raise important funds to change the lives of vulnerable and isolated people across the UK.”

Julie Whelan, CEO of Nordoff Robbins, said: “We are thrilled that O2 have chosen to support us for the next three years. The O2 Silver Clef Awards are a magic moment in our calendar at Nordoff Robbins, where an array of people from the music industry come together to support us. We wouldn’t be where we are with this event without O2 - their contribution, passion and belief in our work has been invaluable to us, and we look forward to what the next three years brings in our partnership.”

Sport requests a great deal of sacrifice from its participants. The eternal winter nights enduring hill sprints in tempestuous rain opposed to nights in with the family, the quinoa and lentils instead of quattro formaggi pizzas, the extra £50 for those boots with a jazzy ankle sock instead of heating and electricity. Yet when its rewards are as resplendent and prestigious as the Nordoff Robbins Cup, such sacrifices seem as trivial as Melania Trump’s, well, anything.

Selhurst Park, the scene for the Cup's showdown, was at its finest. While the obstinate overcast conditions attempted to freeze the fingers and toes of our tireless volunteers and supporters, they provided ideal football conditions. Thus, the stage was set, all it needed now was its performers.

Throughout the group games, electric performances of ‘liquid football’ [Partridge, 1994] were omnipresent across the two 7-a-side pitches, most notably of which was the inexplicable handstand from Nordoff Robbins’ senior caretaker-cum-goalkeeper extraordinaire after a particularly heroic save, instigating petrified looks from our first-aiders.

The competition was ferocious, with both groups hanging on the tenterhooks of their respective final games to see who would progress to the semis. Despite valiant efforts from Blou Construction (including a golden boot winning performance from “Handsome Ben” AKA “The Ben that’s not Ben Knowles”), Marsh & Parsons, Connor Broadley, and even Nordoff Robbins themselves…triggering fears from tournament organisers that were they to win the tournament they would become embroiled in the Russia and Qatar corruption scandals, the four victorious teams to progress were BW Workplace Experts, The O2, Hard Rock Café, and last year’s champions Close Brothers.

After altering the pitch to accomodate full sized 11-a-side semi finals & finals, and following delays resulting from Hard Rock Café controversial pre-game superstitions of requiring a full buffet before their semi-final, we were underway for a couple of bona fide crackers.

BW and Close Brothers’ clash was everything football should be: tense, pugnacious and gorgeously punctual. BW’s clinical display was rewarded with an opening goal before our perfunctory officials played a crucial role, firstly denying Close Brother’s equaliser with an offside call, to later award them a penalty that will have BW debating in those fancy new offices for years to come. The penalty was calmly slotted to tie the game, which concluded in the only reasonable way thinkable to separate this Galatian battle: an old fashioned shootout. The penalties were excruciatingly nerve-wracking, the tension before the final shot such that the only noise to be heard was the sound of various hamstrings screaming, imploring their recalcitrant owners to at least attempt a warm-up and/or down. But it would be title-defending Close Brothers to arise victorious, with a noteworthy goalkeeping display from Tom Ralph so brilliant he's consequently earned an England call up and is currently flying to Russia with Gareth Southgate laughing at Joe Hart memes.

The second semi-final was a more straightforward affair, with the nefarious Hard Rock Café, fuelled from a buffet-filled rest, taking to The O2 with veracity that could not be matched. Their 2-0 victory set up an exhilarating final with Close Brothers that stoked up the pantomime like crowd to feverish excitement.

The final’s opening ten minutes were painstakingly cautious, with neither side willing to bargain an inch. This would all change when Close Brothers’ left wing Enrico Smith controlled a delicious ball via a sneaky faux-free kick that burrowed its way underneath a jumping Hard Rock Café wall. The ball was slotted with cucumber-esque coolness into the top corner to unabashed elation from the crowd; Smith even taking to straddling a wholly unbiased Nordoff Robbins assistant (to the) director of football in celebration while surrounded by the ecstatic Close Brothers squad. Following a few tense, blood-pressure rocketing, hour-like-minutes with Hard Rock Café desperately negotiating any form of reply, a second Close Brothers attacking gambit saw them 2-0 up, instigating an inevitable head-dropping from their hardy opponents. From there it was a smooth cruise towards Close Brothers' title retention, making it two notches on the Nordoff Robbins bedpost in as many years.

In addition to the brilliant footballing displays, most importantly the tournament’s fundraising targets were smashed, meaning thousands of the most vulnerable and isolated people are able to receive life-changing music therapy and experience the incommunicable joy of playing music, so a massive thank you is extended to everyone that helped and took part.

It wouldn’t have been possible without the constant help and support from Crystal Palace FC and Nordoff Robbins’ volunteers (particular shoutout to Jo from The O2 who lent an extra pair of freezing hands for pitchside help). Massive thanks also go to the legend that is Mark Bright who came down to support and hand out all the prizes and trophy at the end.

Thank you to all that competed we hope you had a great time, and we can't wait to see you all next year to find out if anyone can topple the Close Brothers dynasty.

We have today announced the winners of the prestigious O2 Silver Clef Awards 2018. Legends of the music industry such as Roger Waters, Ellie Goulding, George Ezra, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, Stereophonics, Rudimental, Jorja Smith are amongst the winners of the 43rdO2 Silver Clef Awards. 

Presenter Edith Bowman, will host the star-studded event on Friday 6 July at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, while coverage from the blue-carpet will be presented by Nordoff Robbins supporter, Peter Andre.

The awards recognise and celebrate the powerful impact of music, bringing the finest of the music industry together with celebrity supporters and influencers to raise money for Nordoff Robbins, to support our music therapy work with vulnerable and isolated people across the UK.  

Two legendary giants of music, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant are being honoured for their contribution to music and will be presented with the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award and the Integro Outstanding Award respectively. Welsh rockers Stereophonics pick up the American Express Icon Award, while multi-platinum recording artist Ellie Goulding is awarded the Liz Hobbs Group Best Female Award and British singer, songwriter and musician George Ezra will take home the AEG Presents Best Male Award.

Other acts receiving awards this year include Irish rock band The Script, who will be presented with the Raymond Weil International Award, classical duo Michael Ball and Alfie Boe receive the PPL Classical Award, while Rudimental will be awarded the Bose Innovation Award. R&B artist Jorja Smith will collect the Amazon Music Best Newcomer Award. The Sky Best Group Award is awarded to alternative pop band Bastille. Fans have also been voting for their favourite artist in the Ticketmaster Best Live Act category, with Ed Sheeran, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, U2, Foo Fighters, Iron Maiden, Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, Stormzy, Fall Out Boy, Adele and The XX going head to head for this year’s award. The winner will be announced at the event on the 6 July. http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/best-live-act

Ticketmaster said: “As the largest live entertainment company in the world, we see the profound effect that music has on people every single day. We’re hugely proud to be involved with the Nordoff Robbins music therapy charity, supporting the incredible work that they do for thousands of people every single year.”

George Ezra said: "I am honoured to be receiving the AEG Presents Best Male award at this year’s O2 Silver Clef Awards! Music is such a universal power for good and I’ve heard so much about the great work that Nordoff Robbins do - it’s an honour to support a charity who are dedicated to helping so many people through music.”

Jorja Smith said: “This really means a lot to me – thank you to Nordoff Robbins for choosing me as the Amazon Music Best Newcomer Award winner! It feels good to be supporting a charity who are using music to help vulnerable people all over the UK – music means so much to me as it does to a lot of people and can help people in many different ways. It’s most definitely a cause worth supporting”

The Script said: “We are honoured to receive the Raymond Weil International award at this year’s O2 Silver Clefs. We saw first-hand at a recent visit to Nordoff Robbins, the power of music therapy and we know from personal experiences how music can heal.  So, to be supporting this charity through this event feels very special to us”

Ellie Goulding said: "“I feel so privileged to be receiving the Liz Hobbs Best Female Award. Nordoff Robbins are an amazing charity who are changing lives each day through music, and as someone who has dedicated their life to music, I can wholeheartedly see the merit of their work.”

Earlier this year, it was announced that Nordoff Robbins are set to benefit from a dedicated three-year charity partnership deal with long-term supporters, O2.

Gareth Griffiths, Head of Sponsorship, O2, commented: “O2 is incredibly proud of our association with Nordoff Robbins, now our fifteenth year as partner of the O2 Silver Clef Awards. As passionate live music fans, we love celebrating the work of the world’s most talented artists who grace the stages at The O2 and our O2 Academy venues nationwide. But we’re even bigger fans of the work Nordoff Robbins do delivering thousands of music therapy sessions every year in care homes, hospitals, schools and their own growing list of day centres around the UK. I’ve visited these Nordoff Robbins centres, and seen for myself just what an important part music, and the charity, play in people’s lives. Not just for those receiving the therapy, but for their families too.”

Nordoff Robbins CEO Julie Whelan says: “The O2 Silver Clef Awards are one of the reasons why Nordoff Robbins is able to continue delivering life-changing music therapy to so many people facing some of the biggest challenges who desperately need our help. For 43 years this event has celebrated the best names in music, whilst raising over £10.5 million for our charity to date. We are forever grateful for the tremendous support it receives year on year.”

Frances Thomson, a student on our Master of Music Therapy programme, reflects on how life-changing the past two years have been for her.

It’s been an intense and life-changing two years and I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have found a vocation where I get to use music in such a meaningful way and meet so many inspirational people.

As a bassoon player and a singer, music has always been an important part of my life.  Before I knew anything about music therapy, I remember noticing that I felt most alive and fully myself when I was making music. I also knew that there was something special about the way that music can connect people. I found out about Nordoff Robbins by chance through meeting a Nordoff Robbins music therapist at a party, and everything I heard rang true with my own experiences of what music could bring to people’s lives.

When I started the course, I expected to be musically challenged and stretched, and I definitely feel that I’ve grown as a musician. What I was perhaps less prepared for was how much I would learn from the people that I’ve worked with on my placements. Working on a neuro rehab unit of a hospital last year, I didn’t expect to be blown away by the incredible scat-singing of a man whose brain injury meant that he was usually very disorientated and unmotivated. Working at a school for children with autism, I would not have imagined that I would see a teenager – who normally found it extremely difficult to be with his classmates in the same room – astonish everyone when, after a few weeks, he chose to join his classmates in a group music session and freely started playing the drum. At my current placement in a care home, I didn’t expect to feel so invigorated after making music with elderly people with dementia, with whom it might be difficult or impossible to maintain a spoken conversation. It’s been amazing to see people thrive in music, and a privilege to make contact with the healthy, beautiful part of people that responds to it.

Of course, there are challenges and difficulties along the way and in between the magical moments the journey can be very complicated. But I really believe that music therapy offers a way of being with people musically, as they are, and can offer opportunities for people to experience themselves in new ways. 

Over the last two years, I feel that I have experienced myself in new ways too. One of the great things about Nordoff Robbins is that we all come out of the training course as fuller versions of ourselves, with our own unique way of being a music therapist, but with a shared belief in the value of music. It’s scary to think that I’m nearly qualified, but I’m looking forward not only to implementing all that I’ve learnt from the course, but also to the constant challenges and the constant surprises that mean that there will always be more to learn. 

Annual event raises a staggering £705,000 to support vulnerable and isolated people through music therapy

The O2 Silver Clef Awards on Friday 6 July brought music industry greats together to celebrate the power of music and to raise vital funds for Nordoff Robbins - to ensure we can continue providing music therapy to vulnerable children and adults across the UK.    

Presenter Edith Bowman, hosted the star-studded 43rd O2 Silver Clef Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, with blue carpet arrivals coverage presented by Nordoff Robbins supporter, Peter Andre.

Two legendary giants of music, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant were honoured for their contribution to music at the awards - Roger Waters was presented with the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award, while Robert Plant won the Integro Outstanding Award. Welsh rockers Stereophonics picked up the American Express Icon Award, while multi-platinum recording artist Ellie Goulding was awarded the Liz Hobbs Best Female Award and British singer, songwriter and musician George Ezra took home the AEG Presents Best Male Award.

Ellie Goulding said: “From a very early age, music was everything to me, the ultimate companion and often a way for me to express myself. The way Nordoff Robbins uses the power of music to bring everyone together is extraordinary. It creates this personal language so people can express themselves. I’m honoured to receive this award, thank you.”

George Ezra said: "I am honoured to be receiving the AEG Presents Best Male award at this year’s O2 Silver Clef Awards! Music is such a universal power for good and I’ve heard so much about the great work that Nordoff Robbins do - it’s an honour to support a charity who are dedicated to helping so many people through music.”

Irish rock band The Script were presented with the Raymond Weil International Award, classical duo Michael Ball & Alfie Boe received the PPL Classical Award, and Rudimental were awarded the Bose Innovation Award. R&B artist Jorja Smith collected the Amazon Music Best Newcomer Award. The Sky Best Group Award was awarded to alternative pop band Bastille.

The Script said: “We are honoured to receive the Raymond Weil International award at this year’s O2 Silver Clefs. We saw first-hand at a recent visit to Nordoff Robbins, the power of music therapy and we know from personal experiences how music can heal. So, to be supporting this charity through this event feels very special to us.”

Jorja Smith said: “Thank you so much. This means a lot. After I went to the Nordoff Robbins Music centre, I realised how important music really is. It removes a barrier and enables us to communicate with people in a different way.  A huge thank you for this award.”

Fans have also been voting for their favourite artist in the Ticketmaster Best Live Act category with Harry Styles taking home the award which is sponsored by Ticketmaster and Live Nation  http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/best-live-act.

Ticketmaster said: “As the largest live entertainment company in the world, we see the profound effect that music has on people every single day. We’re hugely proud to be involved with the Nordoff Robbins music therapy charity, supporting the incredible work that they do for thousands of people every single year.”

The O2 Silver Clef Awards 2018 raised a staggering £705,000 at the 2018 awards. Earlier this year, it was announced that Nordoff Robbins are set to benefit from a dedicated three-year charity partnership deal with long-term supporters, O2.

Gareth Griffiths, Head of Sponsorship, O2, commented; “O2 is incredibly proud of our association with Nordoff Robbins, now our fifteenth year as partner of the O2 Silver Clef Awards. As passionate live music fans, we love celebrating the work of the world’s most talented artists who grace the stages at The O2 and our O2 Academy venues nationwide. But we’re even bigger fans of the work Nordoff Robbins do delivering thousands of music therapy sessions every year in care homes, hospitals, schools and their own growing list of day centres around the UK. I’ve visited these Nordoff Robbins centres, and seen for myself just what an important part music, and the charity, play in people’s lives. Not just for those receiving the therapy, but their families too.”

Nordoff Robbins CEO Julie Whelan said: “The O2 Silver Clef Awards are one of the reasons why Nordoff Robbins is able to continue delivering life-changing music therapy to so many people facing some of the biggest challenges who desperately need our help. For 43 years this event has celebrated the best names in music, whilst raising over £10.5 million for our charity to date. We are forever grateful for the tremendous support it receives year on year.”

You can make donations to Nordoff Robbins by text.

To donate text LAMP18 to xxxxxxxxxxx

Your text will be charged at £5 plus one message at your standard network rate (based on your service provider rates). Nordoff Robbins will receive 100% of your donation of £5.

The Legends of Football Campaign is live until the closing date shown: xxxx

If you text after the closing date or you get the keyword or short code wrong when you text you will not donating to Nordoff Robbins and will not be charged the donation, however you may still be charge your standard network message fee.

You can only donate from a UK mobile phone number. You cannot donate using this service from a mobile phone number from Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man.

If you donate using this service from a UK mobile abroad, you may incur additional network charges in line with your network costs for using your phone abroad.

You must obtain permission from the bill payer before sending a text message. You must be 16 years old or over to send a text donation.

Nordoff Robbins cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any technical failure or malfunction or any other problem with any telephone, telephone network or line, system, server, provider or otherwise which may result in any text being lost, delayed or not properly received.

There is no limit on the number of times you may make a donation via text but there is a daily limit of £30 on text donations. You will not be able to donate more by text from the same number on the same day, but you may still incur your standard network message charge if you try.

We’ve still got places for the Royal Parks Foundation half-marathon!

Starting and finishing in Hyde Park, this stunning 13.1 mile route takes in the many of the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and passes through four of London’s eight incredible Royal Parks: Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.

The date of the run is 14 October and we're asking runners to commit to raising £400 to help support our life-changing music therapy.

If you're up for the challenge please contacts: fundraising@nordoff-robbins.org.uk

Happy Running!

When I first met Jamie he was a cancer patient receiving respite care at Earl Mountbatten Hospice. 

Jamie was a former professional musician – an electric accordionist and singer – who had entertained in bars and nightclubs. Sadly Jamie had not been able to play music for some time due to his deteriorating health. So when he learnt that there was a music therapist on the ward, he asked his son to bring in his music equipment, which had lain untouched for years.  

Music therapy came into Jamie’s life when he needed it most. We had the pleasure of enjoying several sessions together over three months, both in the hospice and in the weeks following Jaime’s discharge home, when he would attend the day centre once a week.   

He relished in being able to participate in music once again and importantly, to do that with another person. But he found that he could not manage the accordion any more because of its weight – so together we found other ways of making music. 

In one particular session Jaime’s friends were paying him a visit – I will always remember that session because in it, music therapy offered Jamie a very special shared experience with his close friends, at a time when ‘normal’ socialising would have been so difficult.    

We sang through some songs, some initiated by Jaime, some suggested by me. Jamie took to the drum, playing sporadically to start, but then spontaneously burst into song – a deep, soulful old American tune from the South. He sang with meaning and purpose.  

Jamie once said “I just fell in love with music. It is my life – it’s my memories, it’s the people I bumped into along the way. It’s everything that had gone on around me. Music is the quick link back into my soul.” 

This couldn’t be more apparent in our sessions. Jamie was a cheerful man, always cracking a joke, but in music therapy he seemed to reach an authentic depth of feeling - the songs he chose involved themes of longing for past times, reflection, and now a focus on his approaching death.  

In many ways it was helping him come to terms with the journey he was on. Jamie passed away three months after we met, but I feel privileged to have been able to join him on his journey for that short time, because in that time he found his way back to music.  

Fraser Simpson, Nordoff Robbins Music Therapist

We are proud to announce the return of our ground-breaking Get Loud campaign, which is supported by founding supporters, SSE.

Taking place on Wednesday 26 September, Get Loud will present eleven celebrated UK artists performing at the same time in eleven intimate locations around the UK. The eclectic range of artists performing this year are helping us celebrate the incredible diversity of our charity, as we reach out to anyone and everyone who can be helped by music therapy. The incredible line-up includes:

All Saints, Komedia - Brighton
Enter Shikari, Concorde 2 - Brighton
Everything Everything, Garage - London
Nina Nesbitt, Omeara - London
The Darkness, Fleece - Bristol
The Skints, Birthdays - London
Hot Dub Time Machine, Joiners - Southampton
Katie Melua, Borderline - London
Lisa Stansfield, Matt & Phreds - Manchester
The Beat, Engine Room – Southampton
Gilbert O’Sullivan, Cottiers Theatre - Glasgow

Tickets for the individual 'Get Loud Sessions' will cost £10 and go on sale via GetLoud.org.uk with all the proceeds going to raise awareness of our life-changing music therapy. 

Taking over the London for the evening will be record-breaking songstress Katie Melua, ska-punk pioneers The Skints, the incredible Everything Everything and pop sensation Nina Nesbitt. All four acts will be playing remarkably intimate shows in venues in all corners of the capital, including The Garage, Omeara, Borderline and Birthdays.

The Skints say; “Music is the healing and the feeling of the soul and the world, and for that we are extremely excited and humbled to be hosting a session for Nordoff Robbins’ Get Loud campaign. Nordoff Robbins is a charity who are using music to change people’s lives for the better and we’re very proud to use our music to make some noise about the amazing work they are doing.”

Everything Everything says; "We are excited to be part of the Get Loud line up this year for Nordoff Robbins. The charity are helping so many people through music therapy and it feels good to know that our music will help to spread the message of their vital work across the country and help raise awareness."

Nina Nesbitt says; "I am thrilled to be supporting Nordoff Robbins' 2018 Get Loud campaign. Putting on this Get Loud show gives me the opportunity to bring my fans together to celebrate music, and the work this charity is doing to help people with so many different challenges in life, through music therapy."

Katie Melua says; “Being part of Get Loud 2018 for Nordoff Robbins really excites me. Not only because I get to share an intimate gigging experience with fans of my music, but it also gives me a chance to champion a charity I have supported for many years, their musical therapy work across the UK is life changing.”

Brighton will embrace a night of sophisticated and stylish pop from the ever sassy All Saints and an explosive set from arena headliners Enter Shikari whose incendiary performances mark them out as one of the best live bands in the UK. Ska icons The Beat, and the one of a kind party starter Hot Dub Time Machine, the phenomena who is taking over clubland worldwide will perform in Southampton. 

All Saints say; "We are thrilled to be doing this Get Loud show for Nordoff Robbins. This is such a worthy campaign, highlighting the power of music and raising awareness for a charity which uses it to change lives. We can't wait to Get Loud with our fans in Brighton!"

Enter Shikari says; "We're proud to be able to work with Nordoff Robbins’ on their Get Loud campaign. It’s been a while since we last played the Concorde 2 in Brighton, but to be able to return there in support of a charity that do amazing things with music to improve people’s lives seems like a great excuse.”

Tom Loud says: “I am super excited to be joining Nordoff Robbins in their 2018 Get Loud campaign. I am all about bringing joy to people through music and Nordoff Robbins is all about changing people’s lives through music, and I just can’t wait to be involved and be on September 26th – it’s going to be the best party ever!”

Elsewhere, Grammy nominated Gilbert O’Sullivan will be treating fans to 70’s classics such as ‘Alone Again’, Bristol’s Fleece will host a night of glam grandeur with rock royalty The Darkness, and soul sovereign Lisa Stansfield will be bringing hits such as ‘There Goes My Heart’ and ‘All Around The World’ to Matt & Phreds prolific venue in Manchester.

The Darkness say; "As any fool will tell you, loud and The Darkness go together like a beautiful hand and a black leather glove with diamante studs and shiny silver pirate buckles all over it. The Darkness resolutely support mighty Nordoff Robbins and their music therapy - what better way to display this than a Get Loud Session rock show at renowned Bristol hostelry The Fleece & Firkin? Come one, come all, and help us to improve the world via the medium of stupidly loud musical endeavour!"

Gilbert O’Sullivan says: “I am really proud to be supporting Nordoff Robbins through the Get Loud campaign. I am especially excited to be performing in Glasgow for a second time this year not only because I get to share my music with my fans in the local area again, but, I get to do it in support of an incredible charity whose music therapy is helping people across communities in Scotland, and across the UK.  It will be my privilege to help raise awareness of that work and encourage my fans to get as loud as possible for Nordoff Robbins!”

Since the campaign's inception in 2016, we have celebrated the power of music with some of the most influential names in music, raising an incredible £280,000 to date, funding the delivery of music therapy to thousands of vulnerable people across the UK.   

Julie Whelan, Chief Executive of Nordoff Robbins says; “Campaigns like Get Loud are hugely important in helping us raise awareness of our work and ensuring that we can reach all those who need our support. We know how powerful our music therapy can be – offering communication, connection and in some cases, a vital lifeline to many people. So we thank all of the wonderful artists taking part in Get Loud this year, because they are helping to spread the message of our work not only in the places where people need us most, but all over the UK.”

Colin Banks, Head of Sponsorship & Reward at SSE, said: "We are thrilled to be supporting Get Loud for what is now our third year. We know the amazing impact Nordoff Robbins' music therapy is having on so many lives and that is why we are proud to have supported the campaign since its inception. Get Loud will help to raise awareness of the charities work around the UK and help them meet their goal to deliver as much life-changing music therapy to as many people as possible.  And of course, the #GetLoud Sessions offer a great chance for our SSE Reward members to get access to some great tickets!"

In the most recent episode of BAMT's podcast 'Music Therapy Conversations', our Chief Executive, Julie Whelan, talks to Luke Annesley about her many years of experience as a charity Chief Executive, and the perspective that brings to her role as ceo of nordoff robbins

Julie came to Nordoff Robbins in 2015 after seven years as the Founding CEO of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, and with previous roles including the Cabinet Office and as a headteacher.

In the episode, Julie explores how her experience across all of these roles has shaped many of her approaches to leading Nordoff Robbins, and discusses the importance of breaking down silos across such a diverse organisation, as well as the essential role of accountability, data management and outcomes measurement as the key drivers of quality. 

You can listen to the podcast here:

Oksana Zharinova-Sanderson, Director of Music Services for Nordoff Robbins, writes on her recent visit to Ukraine, where she delivered an introduction to Nordoff Robbins music therapy, along with fellow Director of Music Services, Simon Procter:

The medieval city of Lviv is a hidden gem, historically, architecturally and culturally. Situated in the Western part of the Ukraine - one of the largest countries in Europe, between Russia on the eastern side and Poland, Slovakia and Hungary on the Western side – Lviv has been a hub for the development of psychotherapy since the early 1990s when the Soviet Union collapsed and the European Association of Psychotherapy invested resources to promoting the development of psychotherapeutic practices in the Ukraine, which at that point were non-existent there.

In recent years, following on from these initial trainings, further interest in the arts therapies has been steadily developing, particularly in light of the current political and economic situation in the country, where the ongoing war in the Eastern Ukraine means that the country has found itself in political and economic crisis. Medical, psychological, educational and other supportive services are overwhelmed by demand and staff are often overstretched as resources are limited.

It is in this context that we at Nordoff Robbins were approached by the Ukrainian Association of Psychotherapy (and their specific branch of arts therapies), to offer introductory training in Nordoff Robbins music therapy. This was to support existing services, as well as to help the professionals deepen their skills and abilities to work musically with people. Earlier this year, Simon and I travelled to Lviv to deliver three days of introduction to Nordoff Robbins music therapy to 25 professionals from across the Ukraine, who work with people of all ages living with a range of challenges, from special needs and disabilities to mental health issues and trauma following the impact of the war. The training took into account the specific contexts in which the professionals work, and included presentations of case studies, workshops focusing on sharpening listening skills and fostering musical imagination, as well as hands-on individual and group experience of improvising. It focused on the key themes of the Nordoff Robbins approach to music therapy and invited participants to explore these themes through a range of different practical and discussion sessions.

From the very first moment of our musical and personal interactions, it was apparent that there is a real wealth of musical, clinical and personal experience which group members generously brought to the circle. Given the lack of music therapy training in their country, there seemed to be real hunger and commitment to learn different ways of how to apply music strategically in a range of contexts where the group members work, both geographically (Odessa, Kiev, Poltava, Lviv) and in terms of the client groups (from early intervention to mental health and dementia care). The Nordoff Robbins approach to music therapy, with its focus on pragmatic, context-sensitive, music-making, has been perceived by the group to be particularly useful within this environment where verbal psychotherapeutic interventions are already well-established but there is lack of creative arts’ non-verbal interventions in place and there is much need for such interventions. We look forward to hearing back from the group members how the seeds sewn during the introduction training have impacted their work across the country and look forward to our future collaborations.

In the feedback session at the end of the training, the participants were asked to explain what relevance the training had had for them and for their work in the Ukrainian context. Here are some of their comments:

• ‘I know now I can improvise – I just needed time’
• ‘I always knew music is ‘Wonder’, this training explained a lot of different ways of how this wonder could be made accessible to others’
• ‘Everything is music and music is in everything’
• ‘I sang all morning and felt my spirits lifting’
• ‘It was astonishing to witness multi-faceted layers of music – I want to go and do this detailed work with music now’
• ‘Each musical sound we utter has deep essence and significance and you have to be very precise with your tools in order to work with this’
• ‘The Nordoff Robbins approach has a simplicity within it in how it explains complicated things, it goes straight to the heart of the matter. The training taught me about the need to observe and listen precisely’
• ‘I realised that you can’t do this work without giving love to people, there is a spiritual connection that this work enables’
• ‘Such a positive experience of improvising, overcoming fears to wider our inner potential’

Nordoff Robbins Bose Headphones Competition Terms and Conditions

1. The promoter is Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, a non-profit making company limited by guarantee (trading as Nordoff Robbins). Registered Charity No. 280960 at 2 Lissenden Gardens, London NW5 1LP.Nordoff Robbins is the largest independent music therapy charity in the UK, dedicated to changing the lives of vulnerable and isolated people.
    
2. The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom except employees of Nordoff Robbins and their close relatives and anyone otherwise connected with the organisation or judging of the competition.
    
3. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
    
4. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
    
5. Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter are via Nordoff Robbins facebook and Twitter accounts. 
    
6. Only one entry will be accepted per platform, per person. Multiple entries from the same person on a single platform will not be counted, but a person could enter twice by using both Facebook and Twitter.
    
7. Closing date for entry will be 10.30 on Friday 17 August 2018. After this date the no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
    
8. No responsibility can be accepted by Nordoff Robbins for entries not received for whatever reason.
    
9. The rules of the competition and how to enter are as follows:

   For your chance to #WIN a @BoseUK SoundLink Revolve Portable Speaker, s= tell us what song reminds you of your friends using #GetLoud and follow Nordoff Robbins UK on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.
    

10. Nordoff Robbins reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
     
11. Nordoff Robbins is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
     
12. The prize is as follows: Bose Soundlink Revolve Speaker

    The prize is as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
     

13. Winners will be chosen at random (by software, or by names pulled from a hat), from all entries properly received and verified by Nordoff Robbins and or our agents.
     
14. The winner will be notified through Twitter or Facebook within 28 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
     
15. The promoter will notify the winner when and where the prize can be collected / is delivered.
     
16. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
     
17. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
     
18. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by English law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.
     
19. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material, as well as their entry. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.
     
20. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
     
21. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Network. You are providing your information to Nordoff Robbins and not to any other party. The information provided will be used in conjunction with the our Privacy Policy:https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/privacy-policy.

Music therapist Charlotte shares her experiences of working with a support group in Wales, using music to help people cope with end-of-life bereavement. The group was run by St Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph, alongside Charlotte and Family Support Officer Ann Atkin.

Harvey, Sue and Pauline attended bereavement support sessions at the hospice once a month for six months. I had the privilege of hearing their stories and gained an understanding of each of their grieving processes, and I felt that music could give them a new way of sharing and expressing their thoughts and feelings.

When I suggested we write a song, Harvey, Sue and Pauline embraced the idea, and were intrigued by the possibility of doing something completely new. We collected meaningful thoughts and quotes that had come out of our previous conversations for the song lyrics. The group decided that they wanted the song to reflect the pain, processing, glimmers of hope, learning and growing they had all been through.

When we’d written the song, Harvey, Sue and Pauline had a real sense of achievement and Harvey pointed out that “it’ll help others” too. It was inspiring to witness how they all worked together, looking ahead to the possibility of recording the song, and using it to help others going through bereavement.  

Ann, the Family Support Officer who runs the group, commented to them that “of all the things we've done since September, this is the thing that you'll remember, and this is what you'll take away with you. It's so therapeutic – it's wonderful.”

We recorded the song professionally, thanks to Mark at Revelator Recording Studio in Llandudno, giving it a lasting form, which we’ve shared in the hope that it will help others experiencing bereavement to feel less alone.

Harvey, Sue and Pauline each took to the mic to sing their part, and having the experience of recording the song was such a positive ending to the bereavement support sessions, offering the group a whole new way of experiencing togetherness and support. Each step of the way, it was important to make sure that the group felt comfortable and happy, so as we listened back to each part, we encouraged them to offer their thoughts. The group embraced this new experience of recording with joy and courage, and despite the nature of the song, much of the time in the studio was spent laughing and having fun together.

It was a privilege for me to be a part of this, to get to know these people and I’m thankful they shared their experiences so openly, so that I could help them to create something tangible that we are all proud of, and that can be listened to again and again.

This is Harvey, Sue and Pauline’s song:

Looking Forward, Not Forgetting

Your smile would greet me every day, Your eyes could tell me all there was to say. You’re still with me in every way. I’m never alone just a heartbeat away.

Chorus:  An empty chair, one cup instead of two. But I will not walk alone. Looking forward, not forgetting that I am who I am because of you.

When I feel down, my world is grey

Memories we shared clear dark clouds away. You’re by my side to guide me on. Life’s different now but you make me strong.

(Chorus)

The world keeps on turning, the seasons change. I open my eyes, pain turns to hope and I smile.

The children play, the birds still sing, flowers bloom again each Spring. Grass grows green, the sky stays blue, I am who I am because of you.

1. The promoter is Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, a non-profit making company limited by guarantee (trading as Nordoff Robbins). Registered Charity No. 280960 at 2 Lissenden Gardens, London NW5 1LP.Nordoff Robbins is the largest independent music therapy charity in the UK, dedicated to changing the lives of vulnerable and isolated people.
    
2. The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom except employees of Nordoff Robbins and their close relatives and anyone otherwise connected with the organisation or judging of the competition.
    
3. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
    
4. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
    
5. Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter are as follows:

   - Entrants will be selected by Nordoff Robbins volunteers and O2 Angels from attendees at The 02 on 24 August 2018.
   - Entrants must sign up using the sign up form provided and will then be entitled to participate in line with the competition rules.
    

6. The rules of the competition and how to enter are as follows:

   - Entrants must sign up using the sign-up form provided
   - Entrants must wear Bose QC II headphones and sing the chorus of a track randomly selected by Nordoff Robbins
   - Entrants will be filmed by Nordoff Robbins and by participating in the competition they give consent to the video of them being shared via Nordoff Robbins social media channels
   - Entrants will be given the opportunity to review content filmed by Nordoff Robbins as part of the competition before it is shared by Nordoff Robbins. No edits will be permitted once the content is     filmed, but entrants can request that content is not shared by Nordoff Robbins.
   - Only entrants with content shared by Nordoff Robbins will be considered for the prize draw.
   - Only one entry will be accepted, per person. Entrants can participate individually or in groups of up to two people. If two entrants participate together they will enter the prize draw together. In         this case each entrant would win a prize.
    

7. No responsibility can be accepted by Nordoff Robbins for entries not received for whatever reason.
    
8. Nordoff Robbins reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
    
9. Nordoff Robbins is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
    
10. The prize is as follows:
    The prize is as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
     
11. There will be 10 opportunities to win a prize.
     
12. Winners will be chosen at random (by software, or by names pulled from a hat), from all entries properly received and verified by Nordoff Robbins and or our agents.
     
13. The winner will be notified on Twitter or by email within 28 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
     
14. The promoter will notify the winner when and where the prize can be collected / is delivered.
     
15. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
     
16. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
     
17. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by English law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.
     
18. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material, as well as their entry. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.
     
19. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
     
20. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Network. You are providing your information to Nordoff Robbins and not to any other party. The information provided will be used in conjunction with the our Privacy Policy:https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/privacy-policy.

Omolara is 16 years old and has severe learning difficulties and physical disabilities. She is non-verbal, and relies on Makaton, a simplified form of sign language, to communicate.   

Omolara has had a complex upbringing and experienced a great deal of loss in her life, and because of this, she was described by her teacher as being very “anxious to get things right”. Omolara struggles to make choices in school, fearful of ‘making a mistake’.  

It is for these reasons that Omolara was referred to music therapy.  Music offered Omolara an environment where she was listened to and valued, and where the flexible and improvised nature of the sessions could remove her fear of “getting things wrong”. Crucially too, it gave Omolara the opportunity to explore making independent choices through music making. 

In our first few sessions, Omolara’s anxiety was apparent in her music making; she would look to me for reassurance, and she would play with me very shyly. But as the sessions progressed, Omolara started to recognise that what she was offering was meaningful, and in our space, it was our conversation together in music. This led to Omolara beginning to initiate her own musical ideas, and gradually becoming more and more daring and adventurous in making music. 

What has been so lovely to see is Omolara’s personality shining through - her mischievous and playful nature is fully evident in her music.  

Omolara has become so much more confident; she now plays with a real sense of purpose, using a huge range of sounds and often spontaneously bursts into dancing in the sessions! Omolara has also started using her voice in music too – for a young person who cannot verbally communicate, and who has always been so anxious to avoid mistakes, this has shown great courage – her desire to sing and contribute has overpowered her fears.  

One of Omolara’s school teachers said: “Omolara has transformed from an anxious, eager to please and timid student to a relaxed student who understands the language of music. She struggles to communicate with others and yet in her music therapy sessions she is bursting with confidence and is able to communicate with ease.” 

Omolara has started using her voice more and more in class, and in the summer, her class began to rehearse for the school show. Omolara sang along with so much enthusiasm in the rehearsals that she was chosen to sing a solo at the beginning of the song in the actual show – the first time she’d ever sung in a school performance! 

Her teaching assistant added: “Music therapy has brought out a whole new side of Omolara. The nervousness has come away and her confidence has come on in leaps and bounds. In the school show, Omolara was singing solo with the biggest smile on her face - you can see how proud she is of herself. It’s absolutely beautiful how it’s developed her.” 

Kerry, Nordoff Robbins music therapist  

In response to the recent Government green paper on Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision, NORDOFF ROBBINS CEO, Julie Whelan, writes:

We at Nordoff Robbins are delighted to see the priority focus the government is placing on youth mental health, which they’ve set out clearly in their recent Green Paper on Children and Young People’s Mental Health.

We, alongside 2,700 others, took part in the consultation on the paper, and welcome the government’s response to our suggestions. In particular, we support plans to provide a more joined up approach to mental health support – not just across health and education, but also other services – in a multi-agency approach to understanding and meeting the needs of children and young people in an area, and we look forward to seeing how this is developed and implemented.

We believe that joined up provision is of key importance – and our music therapists see the value of this every day, in their work with young people, in local schools, hospitals and community centres, where we work collaboratively and use music to enrich the life of the whole organisation. 

The governmental focus on early prevention is also heartening, as is the desire for a collective approach through the creation of community-based mental health support teams, with a designated lead for mental health in each school and college. This represents a transformational new way of working, which could significantly help to strengthen the support networks and provision for children and young people experiencing mental health issues.

In his first major speech as Health Secretary, Matt Hancock also recognised that prevention is “mission critical to making the health and social care system sustainable,” and this and his determination to have joined-up care centred around individuals is incredibly encouraging. We fully support this way of working. 

We believe that the inclusion of a music therapist, or access to music therapy, as part of these new support teams, could fundamentally bolster this provision, as music therapy can be a very effective in supporting young people when they experience mental health issues. It can have a positive impact on anxiety reduction and aspects of social interaction – in effect helping young people to overcome some of the barriers which prevent them from living their lives to their fullest potential.

Music-making is uniquely effective in engaging young people who might otherwise resist engagement with other services, as it focuses on utilising what they can do, rather than what they can’t, and helps to build their confidence in safe surroundings. It gives young people the opportunity for self-expression in a creative, non-verbal way.

Nordoff Robbins research into the impact of music therapy in school settings has demonstrated the positive impact it has on general health, including through relieving stress, enhancing quality of life, and reducing negative behaviours, as well as on learning and development and developing communication skills. More broadly, our music therapy has been shown to have a positive impact on quality of life and wellbeing by 91% of people we work with, with 95% also saying it has helped their interaction, communication and/or relationships.

Music therapy, and art therapies more broadly, have the potential to help transform mental health provision as part of whole-system approach – as shown by our research, and lived by our music therapists in their work with our beneficiaries, day in day out. By introducing it for young people from a young age, as part of a holistic and joined-up approach to mental health support, we can create a healthy, supportive system that is good for young people, good for the education system, and good for the NHS.

One of our partner organisations, Ty Aberdafen in Wales, has been awarded generous Big Lottery funding to continue to fund the work of our Music Therapist, Lucie.

Ty Aberdafen is a residential care setting for people who have sustained an aquired brain injury. It’s part of the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) which is supported by the national charity The Disabilities Trust. Ty Aberdafen caters for those who have been living with their brain injuries for quite some time, from 5-20 years. 

Lucie writes on the news

I started working there last September as part of the Nordoff Robbins Graduate Employment Scheme, with an initial six month pilot. 

I work with most of the service users at the centre who each have a range of abilities, from paralysis and severe cognitive impairments to those who are physically and verbally able but now living with mental health conditions as a result of their injuries.

Music therapy has been positively received and each client has absolutely exceeded expectations in their sessions; service users who are classed as non-verbal have sung and spoken, physical skills have improved, and we are seeing it helping those with mental health conditions to regulate their emotions and mood. 

It has also acted as a vehicle for bringing people together as it's proved an excellent group activity, and one in which relatives can participate too.

Ty Aberdafen applied for funding from The Big Lottery Fund to allow Lucie's work to continue for the next twelve months, and were awarded this as part of the Community Projects section of the fund - which is fantastic news!