About volunteers

mindsong uses volunteers, initially taken from Gloucester Choral Society and/or the Three Choirs Festival Chorus, to support the music therapist in the clinical group sessions.

The volunteers also offer practical support with the musical instruments and are able to contribute to the singing in the sessions.

Before assisting with music therapy sessions, all volunteers are given training. Meetings are arranged periodically for the volunteers to meet socially and discuss their input into mindsong.

Interested in volunteering?

If you are interested in volunteering for mindsong and have an interest in music and some time to spare, contact us. You will be invited to meet one of the team to see how you might be able to be involved. As routine for this sort of work you will need to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check (unless you already hold a valid certificate) before working with mindsong.

Training volunteers

Before commencing the music therapy sessions, volunteers receive some training. This provides a basic understanding of music therapy, of dementia and its effects, and of the role of the volunteer in the music therapy sessions.

This is usually offered over two half days and includes discussion about music and how therapists use it, and guidance concerning the emotional effects that therapeutic work can have on clients, the therapist and others in the group.

There are opportunities to experience musical improvisation, creating music together with various percussion instruments.

On-going training is offered as appropriate by other specialists in the field of dementia and music therapy.

Here is a short piece written by one of our volunteers, Katy Bagnall about her experiences.

Mindsong: Working with Adults of our Time

‘I've got a famous cousin' said one of the residents of the nursing home unexpectedly, as we sang songs and made music together during a Mindsong music session earlier this year. It transpired that the cousin in question was none other than Sir Michael Tippett! Little had I expected when I first started as a volunteer with Mindsong, that I would meet such a person, or have the privilege to listen to her recalling her memories of him and his music.

And yet that was by far from the only memorable or extraordinary experience I have had. Whilst it is not always easy to work with people who have become isolated or withdrawn from society and who live in a highly regulated environment, it can be really rewarding to be part of the means by which they are given the opportunity to revisit and unlock memories and past experiences for themselves, and to express and enjoy themselves through the medium of music. People can sometimes be reticent about participating, may appear to have no interest or no means of communicating, or may say firmly ‘I'm not musical' or I can't do this'. Then the music starts, and watching and being a part of the effect that the music has on them can be a really humbling, emotional and exciting thing. Their eyes may suddenly light up, they may look alert, a foot or finger may start to tap out a rhythm, there may be a memory there of India or the war years, family or friends, and there may even be real communication within the group through rhythms echoed or responded to and music being made around the room., singing or playing instruments.

If you would like to become involved, and think you might like to find out more about working as a volunteer with Mindsong, we are currently looking for new people. You don't need to have any prior knowledge of Music Therapy as you will receive full training and support.

Please contact
Janet Marshall,
Mindsong Administrator,
Mindsong,
Gloucester Three Choirs Festival Office,
7C College Green,
Gloucester,
GL1 2LX

Email: janet.marshall@3choirs.org