As part of our national awareness campaign, Get Loud, where we shout loudly and proudly about the power of music, our Director of External Affairs, Communications and UK Development, Jo Carter, spoke on Sky News this morning with Justin from The Darkness.

If you saw the news story and would like to find out more about our work, how you can access music therapy, and how music can change lives, we’ve provided some useful information below:

Who we are 

At Nordoff Robbins, we celebrate the connection and joy music can bring to those with life-limiting illnesses, physical disabilities or emotional challenges. As the UK’s leading independent music therapy charity, we work across the UK offering vital support through our dedicated open access centres and alongside over 150 partner organisations.

About Nordoff Robbins music therapy

Nordoff Robbins music therapy is the specialist use of music to help facilitate physical and emotional wellbeing, reducing isolation and enabling people to develop and retain key communication skills.

We can’t help but respond to music – it changes the way we move, feel and think, and we interact with each other musically all the time using our voices and movements.

Helping people to develop through music allows them to experience rewarding personal interactions with others. In the hands of a trained therapist our music therapy can bring a wide range of cognitive, emotional and physical benefits.

Where we work

Our therapists work in schools, nurseries, hospitals, care homes, prisons and community centres, to make sure that we are reaching and supporting the UK’s most vulnerable and isolated people. We also offer a free open access service at our centres and community centres, to ensure that our life-changing work reaches those who need it most.

How we work

Our approach is person-centred and we work flexibly in a range of settings with people of all ages, responding to their specific needs. Every music therapy session at Nordoff Robbins is different because every person is different. 

We run one-to-one and group sessions, using a wide range of instruments, including the voice. Music is often improvised and we support people to develop their own ways of being musical.

Who we work with 

Nordoff Robbins music therapy can be used to support people on both a short and long-term basis, with a range of needs and conditions, including: autism, complex needs and developmental delay, physical or cognitive disabilities, mental health issues, dementia, brain injury and trauma, and short and long-term illnesses.

Our music therapists

All Nordoff Robbins music therapists have completed our Master of Music Therapy programme which is validated by Goldsmiths, University of London, and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Our therapists are trained to the very best standard to ensure that we deliver the highest quality of music therapy possible for the people we help.

How you can access Nordoff Robbins music therapy

At our centres, we receive and welcome referrals from:

• Doctors
• Parents
• Schools
• Social services
• Self-referrals (with supporting information from a health or social care professional)

If you think music therapy could benefit you, a family member or friend, or if you are from an organisation and would like to have a music therapist working as part of the team, please get in touch with us to see how we can help.

Phone: +44 (0)20 7267 4496

Email: musicservicesadmin@nordoff-robbins.org.uk

Find out more

You can find out more about our referrals process and how our sessions work here: https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/music-therapy-you

At the end of March 2018, we moved into our wonderful new facilities in Dunfermline on the site of the Fire Station Creative. We currently have two therapists working from here, which provides an excellent central location for music therapy sessions, workshops and presentations. We are very grateful to the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust who have been the primary funders for our portacabin.

Therapists from the Fife centre collaborate with organisations throughout the region to provide services in a range of locations, including both mainstream and special schools, residential and NHS settings.  We work closely with staff and professionals and provide regular training opportunities in these settings, to promote understanding, support and collaboration and to provide the best possible service for our clients.

Making a referral

If you would like to make a referral for someone you know or for yourself, you will need to complete a referral form.  When suitable time becomes available, a music therapy assessment will be offered; this can last up to 4 weeks.  Following this, we will discuss together the best way of moving forward and how best music therapy might be of help.

Who can make a referral?

• Anyone can make a referral for themselves, or a family member or carer

• Health care professionals, therapists, teaching staff, support workers can all make referrals.

How to make a referral?

Please contact us at scotland@nordoff-robbins.org.uk to request a form, and return it to the centre. We will then contact you to let you know that we have received your referral and then be in touch as soon as a place is available.

For further information or to make an enquiry, please contact:

Music Therapist Kristin Macdonald at scotland@nordoff-robbins.org.uk

C/o Fire Station Creative, Carnegie Drive, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 7AN
Tel: 07956 922571

Parking and access

Parking available immediately outside the building
Full disabled access

We have a team of seven music therapists in our west of Scotland service, based in Glasgow. We provide music therapy for individuals and small groups, as well as larger group work as part of our developing community music therapy service.

Our team also provides outreach music therapy services across Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Balloch, Alloa and Stirling in special education, mainstream education, healthcare, residential care and palliative care settings. We work in partnership with local education authorities, NHS services and charities including Erskine, Capability Scotland, Scottish Autism and CHAS.

Making a referral

If you would like to make a referral for someone you know or for yourself, you will need to complete a referral form.  When suitable time becomes available, a music therapy assessment will be offered; this can last up to 4 weeks.  Following this, we will discuss together the best way of moving forward and how best music therapy might be of help.

WHO CAN MAKE A REFERRAL?

• Anyone can make a referral for themselves, or a family member or carer

• Health care professionals, therapists, teaching staff, support workers can all make referrals.

HOW TO MAKE A REFERRAL?

Please contact us at scotland@nordoff-robbins.org.uk to request a form, and return it to the centre. We will then contact you to let you know that we have received your referral and then be in touch as soon as a place is available.

For further information or to make an enquiry, please contact:

Music therapist Janet McLachlan at scotland@nordoff-robbins.org.uk 
25 Lammermoor Avenue, Cardonald, Glasgow, G52 3BE
0141 237 4884

Parking and access

Parking available immediately outside the building
Full disabled access

We have two therapists working from the Tayside base. From our initial work across Angus schools, we have now developed a service to include venues in Dundee, Perth and Angus for both children and adults with a range of learning difficulties, language and communication disorders, social and emotional behavioural difficulties and mental health problems.

MAKING A REFERRAL

If you would like to make a referral for someone you know or for yourself, you will need to complete a referral form.  When suitable time becomes available, a music therapy assessment will be offered; this can last up to four weeks.  Following this, we will discuss together the best way of moving forward and how best music therapy might be of help.

Who can make a referral?

• Anyone can make a referral for themselves, or a family member or carer

• Health care professionals, therapists, teaching staff, support workers can all make referrals.

How to make a referral?

Please contact us at scotland@nordoff-robbins.org.uk to request a form, and return it to the centre. We will then contact you to let you know that we have received your referral and then be in touch as soon as a place is available.

For further information or to make an enquiry, please contact:

Music therapist Mary Veal at scotland@nordoff-robbins.org.uk 
The Pastoral Centre, 24-28 Lawside Road, Dundee, DD3 6XY
Tel: 07966 913 535

Parking and access

Parking available immediately outside the building
Full disabled access

We are very grateful that many of the people we work with are happy to be in case studies to help show how music therapy changes lives: these are their stories. 

Liam's Story

Leona's Story

Meet Leona, a young girl with autism and no speech.

Music and dementia

Here's our music therapy work, at a care home for people living with dementia.

Julia's Story

Meet Julia who has autism and Downs Syndrome and attends music therapy with her mum.

Music has the power to affect us in different ways. It can be stimulating or soothing; stir our emotions and memories, comfort and inspire. We use music therapy to help people with a range of conditions including learning disabilities, neurological disorders, life-limiting illness, brain injury, cerebral palsy, mental health issues, trauma, stroke and dementia. Music therapy uses music to break down barriers caused by illness or disability. 

You can make a referral for someone you know or for yourself by completing a referral form. When suitable time becomes available, a music therapy assessment will be offered which may comprise up to four sessions  Following this, we will discuss together how best music therapy might be of help.

WHO CAN MAKE A REFERRAL?

Anyone can make a referral for themselves, or a family member or carer Health care professionals, therapists, teaching staff, support workers can all make referrals.

HOW TO MAKE A REFERRAL?

Please email us at scotland@nordoff-robbins.org.uk to request a form and return it to the centre.  We will then contact you to let you know that we have received your referral and then be in touch as soon as a place is available.

For further information, or to make an enquiry:

Please get in touch with your nearest Nordoff Robbins Scotland centre for more details. 

Celebrating its iconic 20th year in 2018, the SSE Scottish Music Awards will once again bring the best of Scotland’s world-renowned music industry together for one epic night of festivities. Set to be bigger and better than ever before, the event will take place in Glasgow’s SEC, on Saturday 1st December. Selling out year after year, 2018’s anniversary special will see 800 guests experience an evening of spectacular entertainment including intimate live performances from some of Scotland’s most established acts, as well as celebrating the country’s vibrant emerging artists.

Hosted by Sanjeev Kohli with a drinks reception, three-course meal and exclusive after show party, the SSE Scottish Music Awards is one of the biggest nights in the country’s event calendar at one of Glasgow’s most prestigious venues and not to be missed.

The past 20 years have seen the awards recognise some of the most iconic stars in the world including Annie Lennox, Paolo Nutini, Emeli Sandé and Biffy Clyro as well as the latest up and coming artists such as Lewis Capaldi and Nina Nesbitt. 2018 will be no different with performances this year from one of the biggest bands in the world.

To book or for more information, please email simon.foy@nordoff-robbins.org.uk 

Tables of 10 from £1500 + VAT

(Tables of 12 and single seats available)  

• Welcome drinks reception
• 3 Course meal
• Awards and Performances
• Entry to the after-show party
• Goody bag

Platinum VIP Tables from £2500 + Vat

(Tables of 12 available)

• Table position on front two rows
• VIP Drinks reception
• Chilled champagne on your table on arrival
• 3 course meal
• Awards and Performances
• Entry to the after-show party
• VIP Goody bag

Event Schedule

6.30pm Red Carpet Arrivals & Drinks Reception
7.15pm Welcome Speeches & Dinner
9.15pm Awards & Performances
00.15am After-show Party
03.00am Carriages

To book or for more information, please email simon.foy@nordoff-robbins.org.uk

We have recieved $50,000 from the social app 'Vero', and singer, Jorja Smith, after she was recognised with a GQ award which was accompanied by a donation to a charity of her choice.

At the 21st Men of the Year Awards Ceremony on September 5th, GQ and next-gen social network, Vero, introduced a new award - the Vero Breakthrough Solo Artist of the Year Award - which was presented to Jorja Smith. 

Vero is an ad-free social network which was designed to help users interact more authentically online and is committed to driving positive change in the real world too. So, in honour of the inaugural award, the social app pledged to donate a $50,000 to a charity of Jorja Smith's choice and, to our delight, Jorja nominated us to recieve the money! 

Jorja, a 21-year old British singer - who has independently released numerous singles and one EP - has collaborated with a string of major artists including Drake, Stormzy, Kali Uchis and Ezra Collective and has broken through into the mainstream in the past 12 months. 

Earlier this year, Jorja was a recipient of the coveted Newcomer Award at our flagship fundraiser, the O2 Silver Clef Awards. Following this, the acclaimed singer visited our London-based centre to see our music therapy first hand and said of her visit:

"It was such a great experience going to the centre, as I wasn’t aware of how much – and also how far – music can travel to change someone’s life. Music is so important. It can transport you to a better place and it means so much to a lot of people. Seeing the effect of how my music has helped people opened my eyes even more, and then when I visited the Nordoff Robbins centre I couldn’t believe it." 

We are so grateful to Jorja for selecting us as her charity of choice and to Vero for making the incredibly generous donation. Hannah Sheedy, our Director of Fundraising said: 'We are thrilled to hear that Jorja has dedicated this donation to Nordoff Robbins. We congratulate Jorja on winning the Vero Breakthrough Solo Artist of the Year Award, and we thank Vero and Jorja for their generosity. This money will help directly fund our music therapy delivery around the UK, helping us reach the people who need us most.'

Nordoff Robbins and sister organisation Nordoff Robbins Scotland have taken a significant step as they announce a major development – a merger, which will see the two organisations come together to form a single UK wide Nordoff Robbins charity.

Last year Nordoff Robbins and Nordoff Robbins Scotland together helped almost 9,000 people through music therapy. With a wealth of combined expertise and a joint commitment to delivering high-quality music therapy, the single Nordoff Robbins charity is set to expand its reach and help even more vulnerable and isolated people in communities where the power of music will be used to change lives.  

Dedicated to supporting individuals with physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs through the specialist use of music, Nordoff Robbins will now be able to support more people like 25-year-old Elizabeth, who has been having music therapy to support her with mental health issues caused by her diagnosis of dysphasia and autism.

"Music therapy brings people to life, just by picking up an instrument and joining together in music it helps to heal people, whatever pain or trauma or problem you have been through, it can help. You can be yourself, without judgement," said Elizabeth. 

David Munns, Chair of Nordoff Robbins, said: "Nordoff Robbins has always been proud to support our sister charity Nordoff Robbins Scotland and by officially joining forces we will be able to change the lives of even more people through music. I am thrilled to welcome the chair of Nordoff Robbins Scotland, Heather Gardner, to our unified Nordoff Robbins Board of Trustees, as we embark on a new and exciting journey and continue to grow from strength to strength."

Julie Whelan, CEO of Nordoff Robbins, said: “This move to merge with our sister organisation Nordoff Robbins Scotland is a significant moment in the charities' history. It is a moment which brings with it scope for greater work, broader reach and more lives changed through music. In our hopes to achieve our objectives, we move forward stronger, and with the support of our Scottish colleagues we look to the future with vigour and confidence.”

Our Chief Executive, Julie Whelan, writes about the merger of Nordoff Robbins and sister organisation Nordoff Robbins Scotland:

Today marks a momentous time for us as we join forces officially with Nordoff Robbins Scotland and merge into one charity with a shared primary goal – to deliver high quality Nordoff Robbins music therapy to all who need it.

We’re delighted to welcome our new colleagues who work across Scotland, and we look forward to getting to know them all so much better. For many years we have been working closely together, but our merger gives an opportunity to pool our expertise to form a comprehensive UK approach. Fundamentally, we want to support more people, in more places who can benefit from our music services.

Since 2015 we have had an ambitious plan at Nordoff Robbins to double the number of people we can support, and I am pleased to say that we are on the brink of meeting that aim, one year early. This achievement was made largely possible by the fundraising yielded by our dedicated supporters and donors, and by us committing these funds to employing more of our music therapy graduates and essentially prioritising front line services. 

We hope to do the very same in Scotland; we will be prioritising the training of more people in Scotland to support service provision across the country. We will also ensure that what is raised in Scotland through fundraising is retained in Scotland, to prioritise music therapy delivery to in local communities where we are needed most.

This now leads me on to the people I wish to thank for the success of this merger – the Boards of Nordoff Robbins and of Nordoff Robbins Scotland, who have ensured that we stayed focused on what was most important – our beneficiaries and our people.

I am sure that together we can achieve great things as a united charity, and that it is going to be a real journey for all of us.

Nordoff Robbins Scotland Directors Janet Halton and Mary Brown blog about the merger with Nordoff Robbins:

2018 has been a huge year for Nordoff Robbins Scotland, as we have been working towards joining forces with Nordoff Robbins, and we are excited that this partnership is finally coming to fruition. We are looking forward to getting to know all of our new colleagues in the weeks and months ahead!

Nordoff Robbins Scotland started up as an independent charity in 1996, based on work that had developed in the Lothians in the 80s and 90s. From small beginnings, the charity grew significantly over the years, and we now have a team of 15 music therapists offering services across the central belt of Scotland, in and around Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, Dundee and Angus. 

We are working towards increasing our music therapy provision across 12 local authority areas, and have partnerships with schools, children and adult hospices, other charities and various NHS settings. In addition, we have four bases in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife and Dundee, and we hope to develop our free open access services in the coming months, opening up the sessions to more groups in those areas, to ensure that our life-changing work reaches those who need it most. 

Whilst we are very proud of our 22-year heritage and history in Scotland, we are excited to now be part of a wider team of Nordoff Robbins therapists and other colleagues, with opportunities to share practice and learn from each other.

Today signals a really important day for us all and on behalf of all our colleagues here in Scotland, we look forward to more sharing, learning and working together.

The Woman’s Hour 2018 Power List celebrates the Top 40 most successful women having an impact on music: the women having power in the industry, who are innovators and ground-breakers supporting and championing the work of other women, or changing the industry from within – to make it more equal, diverse and creative.

Huge congratulations to three of our ever-supportive Nordoff Robbins advocates who are featured on the list – Maggie Crowe, who is a wonderful champion of our charity through the BRIT Trust, BRIT Awards and BPI, Emma Banks who is the Chair of the O2 Silver Clef Awards Committee and through CAA a huge supporter of Nordoff Robbins, and Rebecca Allen, who is a key member of our Carol Service Committee.

Read more about their achievements here, and view the full power list here. 

7. Rebecca Allen

President of Decca Records

“One of the only female presidents [of a record label] in this country – that’s big. But she’s also signed major artists like Sheku Kanneh-Mason.”

At Decca, Rebecca has led the label through one of its most successful periods: signing worldwide stars like Alfie Boe and Ennio Morricone, but also expanding the label into a global entertainment business rather than just a music label.

10. Maggie Crowe

Director of Events and Charities at the British Phonographic Industry

“She runs the BRIT Awards and the Mercury Prize – huge UK music brands. And at the BPI she’s brought in mentoring programmes to support people from diverse backgrounds to rise through the ranks.”

Maggie’s worked her way up through the ranks at The BPI since she first joined in 1986 and now oversees the BRIT awards and The Mercury Prize. She’s also an Administrator of the BRIT Trust, as well as sitting on the board of the BRIT school.

26. Emma Banks

Co-head of Creative Artists Agency

“Widely respected in the industry, Emma has done so much, especially for women. She's championed people like Katy Perry and Kylie Minogue. Always talking at seminars and conferences, she’s really relevant.”

Emma’s work at the top of CAA has been key in the development of some of the world’s biggest music stars. She’s regarded as one of the most trailblazing female agents in the industry.

Stars from the world of sport and entertainment celebrated Frank Lampard’s induction into the Legends of Football Hall of Fame on 8 October 2018, during an incredible evening that saw over £500,000 raised for Nordoff Robbins.

The event, hosted by Legends of Football Chairman Geoff Shreeves and Hayley McQueen, honoured the career of former England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, and brought together the worlds of football and music.

Frank said: “It means a lot for me to get the award personally, to be alongside the great names of the past, but I think probably the most important thing of the night is Nordoff Robbins, and the effect we can have on an evening with so many people turning up.”

Frank Lampard was presented with his award by former managers Claudio Ranieri and Sven Goran Eriksson, while The Who front man and all-time music great, Roger Daltrey, performed an exclusive live set.

Speaking of his recent visit to Nordoff Robbins, when he met beneficiary Betsy, Frank said: “As a parent myself and having a newborn daughter, three daughters now, to see Betsy and to see her resilience and her character was overwhelming – to see the other side of the work being done to help, not just her, but her mother and family, was very humbling for me. As a parent you see what it means emotionally to everybody involved and it made me realise just how special the work that Nordoff Robbins do is.”

Supported by the Premier League, Legends of Football has raised more than £7 million for Nordoff Robbins. This remarkable event has enjoyed 23 years celebrating the achievements and careers of some of the greatest footballers and managers in the beautiful game. Legends such as John Charles, Sir Stanley Matthews, Brian Clough, Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Kenny Dalglish, Alan Shearer and Eric Cantona, to name but a few, have received this prestigious award.

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO TEST YOUR MUSIC METAL - 

Our legendary Nordoff Robbins Pop Quiz, sponsored by Integro Insurance Brokers Ltd, returns for its 29th year in November, this time with a fresh 90's-tastic feel and hosted by BBC Radio 1 The Official Chart host, Clara Amfo.

There are still some places for teams of 6 to join us for a night of networking and a quiz that truly will separate the wheat from the chaff of music nerds. 

Tickets include a free drinks reception, a sumptuous 2 course meal, and the chance to battle it out with the top companies from across the British music industry. Champions will be crowned with the coveted Pop Quiz Trophy.

So join us for the perfect pre-Christmas party for all music lovers!

EVENT DETAILS

Date: November 28th 2018
Venue: Bush Hall. 310 Uxbridge Rd, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 7LJ
Price: Tables of 6 are £300
 

To book your team, please email: fundraising@nordoff-robbins.org.uk

We're proud to welcome our headline sponsor of the event, Integro Insurance Brokers Ltd, and want to say a big thank you to them for supporting Nordoff Robbins

Here's some snaps from last year:

I finished my training at NR London in July 2008 and returned to Lyon in France to be with my family again. Through the international department of St. Christopher’s Hospice in South London I was lucky enough to find the name of a doctor who directs a palliative care unit in Lyon, and who was looking for a NR trained music therapist. On my first meeting with her she offered me a half day a week for music therapy in her service, which quickly increased to two half days a week. I realise now how lucky I was, because there was already a grant in place for art therapy and so she had money available to pay me.  

Elsewhere, it was very different, as music therapy was virtually unknown in Lyon, as in the rest of France, there was no official job title and certainly no available jobs that came with a salary. This meant having to sell music therapy to doctors and/or directors of other hospital services and/or associations, and then put together different ‘projects’ in order to find grants before being able to start work. After battling with French administration, it took me in general between 15 months to 2 years to get a grant, but there again this money was only temporary and when it ran out you had to start all over again. It was like being a pioneer, often quite lonely and stressful.  

I also had to adapt my NR training, as there are no pianos in any of the services where I work, and certainly no available musical instruments. In fact, the different multidisciplinary teams seemed very surprised to think that I used music and therefore needed musical instruments to work as a music therapist. Not being able to park at the different hospitals meant that I had to provide all the instruments in all the services where I began work, and this represented a large financial investment for me at the beginning. In each service I am provided with a trolley, so that I can push all the equipment around from one room to another, but at first, it’s always the nurses and carers that find immense pleasure in discovering everything on the trolley.  

When starting in a new hospital service I always made sure to invite the different members of the multi-disciplinary teams to assist me during my sessions. Very quickly, they began to see music therapy in a totally new way, often they were astonished at the non-verbal communication as well as the force of different emotions that were expressed through the improvisations. As a result, I now work closely with the nurses and carers in all the different hospital services, for example in the palliative care units I often accompany pain-induced procedures as well as relaxation techniques such as massage. Each time the results are positive, not only for the patient, but also for the nurses and carers.                                                                                                             

I now work six full or half days a week as a music therapist in Lyon and since the beginning I have had a lot of French art and/or music therapy students who come for their clinical work experience and this has made me realise just how different the training is in France e.g.: you don’t have to be a musician to be a music therapist; music therapy training consists of 12 weeks altogether spread over a period of 3 years; the majority of the training is taken up with theory and pathology, practical clinical music training is discovered during their clinical work experience (if they are lucky enough to find a music therapist who uses music). However, this has worked to my advantage, as I now teach in three different French universities who offer music therapy training, in nursing schools and on a university diploma course for medical professionals who want to work in palliative care.   

Mary Aillan, 2018 

Today, 19 October 2018, Nordoff Robbins students, staff and family celebrated as ten students from of our Master of Music Therapy programme and one student from our PhD programme graduated at a ceremony hosted in the Nordoff Robbins London Centre.

Congratulations to our 10 newly graduated Music Therapists

Recognising the continuing close relationship with Goldsmiths, University of London, who validate the two-year programme, degrees were awarded to MMT Graduates by Professor Simon McVeigh - Goldsmiths Professor of Music and Academic Director of Research Policy.

Dr Simon Procter, Nordoff Robbins Director of Music Services and convenor of the MMT Programme congratulated graduates, charging them to take the attitude they adopted throughout the training into every school, hospital, clinic, care home and hospice they now work in. Simon said:

First and foremost we are here today to mark the achievements of some remarkable people, of whom we are very proud...

At the heart of Nordoff Robbins training remains our commitment to this music-centred, pragmatic, humanitarian and highly skilled approach to music therapy: and we want to make it as widely available to people as possible. And that is underpinned by investing in the training of musicians like you, equipping you with the skills, knowledge and understanding you need to go out and grow the Nordoff Robbins approach to music therapy across the UK and maybe even beyond.

As you move from being graduands to being graduates, so you become not our students any more, but our colleagues.

And congratulations to Giorgos for being awarded his PhD

In addition to the ten graduates on from our MMT programme, today also marked the culmination of seven years of work by Dr Giorgos Tsiris, who has been awarded his PhD following succesful completion of a thesis exploring spirituality in music. 

Congratulating Giorgos, Professor Gary Andsell, Convenor of the Nordoff Robbins MPhil/PhD Programme said:

Giorgos' thesis explores the relationship between music therapy and spirituality, and is the first to systematically explore this area. A PhD comes as a result of incredible tenacity and originality. Giorgos' work exemplifies this, and we congratulate him for an outstanding effort. 

Our best wishes to all graduates!

Ahead of The Good Estate Agency Charity Art Ball, we caught up with its brilliant host, BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins, to find out what he's looking forward to most about the evening, and just what music means to him. Here's Chris in his own words.

The GEA Art Ball is an annual event that raises vital funds for Nordoff Robbins' life-changing music therapy. Held this year on 16 November at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, the ball features an exhibition of the region's biggest named artists, with entertainment from Manchester's very own Alexander Stewart and striking eight-piece band Beat Syndicate, the world's largest contemporary choir, Rock Choir, and DJ set by XS Manchester's Clint Boon.

What are you most looking forward to about being a host at the GEA Art Ball?

The GEA Art Ball has been running for four years in Manchester in aid of Nordoff Robbins. Working on radio, I know of Nordoff Robbin’s vitally important music therapy and have previously been to their Pop Quiz, so it was a no brainer to be involved. The event raises an incredible amount for Nordoff Robbins in the North West and it is a terrific evening that celebrates local artists work and musicians. The event champions art in the name of fun.

Can you tell us a few words about what supporting the charity means to you?

As a father of an eight-year-old girl who loves music I can see from her what difference music makes to her life. Music therapy can better the lives of children and adults. I can’t stress enough how much music is a part of my life. From the moment we are born it affects our moods and the way you feel! Music makes a difference.

How has music changed your life?

Music has always been important to me, from nursery rhymes as a child to listening to the records my parents played. My first experience of pop music was on the radio, which inspired my working life. I feel lucky that I get to play music I love on the radio.

What was the first ever song you played on radio?

It was Billy Joel’s ‘Uptown Girl’ when I was starting out as a DJ on BBC Radio Nottingham when I was a student there. It was part of the programme but I always have a soft spot for it because of this.

And please also name a song that has significance to you (they might be one and the same or definitely not the same!)

Elbow’s ‘One Day Like This’. My daughter Sienna was born very premature in 2009. She was in the hospital for weeks and when we finally brought her home, I asked my wife to wait in the car with her whilst I ran into the house. I put this song on so our miracle baby could come into our home for the first time with this song playing in the background.

Find out more about the GEA Art Ball here

Have you ever considered volunteering for Nordoff Robbins?

Volunteering for us is a fun and worthwhile experience and by donating your time you will be directly helping us to provide music therapy to vulnerable children and adults across the country, while also meeting like-minded people and learning new skills!

There's lots you can get involved with, including: 

• Marketing
• Fundraising
• Graphic Design
• Community Outreach
• Social Media/ Content
• Music Therapy Services (please note, these placements are of a minimum of three months)
• Events
• Admin
• Finance

Here's how to get involved

If you would like to volunteer for us at Nordoff Robbins, please download and fill out our volunteering form, then return it to volunteering@nordoff-robbins.org.uk where someone will get back in touch with you!
 

Thank you!

Tickets are on sale from today for our annual Christmas celebration. 

It's the most wonderful time of the year and we are delighted this December to again be hosting a magical evening of Christmas carols, celebrity readings and sparkling musical performances. 

Our Carol Service brings together family, friends and supporters for an annual celebration of music in a wonderful setting.

To add to the excitment, for 2018 we have a very special performance...from the legendary Nile Rodgers!
 

event details

Date: Tuesday 11th December 2018
Venue: St Luke's Church, Chelsea
Tickets:https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/nordoff-robbins-carol-service

Here's a short video from last year's service

And some photo highlights from previous years

This is text for the Christmas Appeal