TURNING Lives Around clients have been getting better connected thanks to two successful bid applications.

A submission to Vodafone’s Charities Connected initiative resulted in 50 free SIM cards preloaded with six months of 20 GB of data, unlimited calls and texts each month. Twinned with recycled old TLA handsets, these are giving connectivity that they wouldn’t be able to afford to some of the most vulnerable people TLA supports.

Connecting through music is the focus of the second bid for £8250 from the National Lottery Community Fund. This will enable the pilot music therapy project being run by the Nordoff Robbins charity at Oakdale House not only to continue for another year but to be extended to Grace Lodge and Francis House. This will also cover the cost of buying instruments plus recording equipment.

The UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff Robbins traditionally works in schools, care homes, hospitals, hospices and mental health settings bringing the stimulating and comforting benefits of music to those in need. Keen to reach out to other sectors of the community experiencing difficulties in their lives, they approached Oakdale House and, since November ’19, music therapist Luke Wilson has been working individually and with groups of residents for half a day a week.

Oakdale House is one of TLA’s three Intensive Support Environments (ISE) providing support 24/7 to 11 male residents with multiple complex needs such as mental health issues or drug / alcohol misuse.

“We try many different therapies to engage with clients and this has been fantastic for many,” said Oakdale House Manager Abby Goater.

“The idea is to give them an opportunity to release their stressed and anxieties to enable them to channel and manage their emotions in a different way, make better use of their time and think about processing things in a different way.”

So far, many residents have benefitted from the music therapy and now, with the help of the lottery funding, the project can be widened to include all three ISE sites, supporting a further 25 plus clients.

“We tailor what we do to the interests of the individual so that could be playing the piano or guitar, singing or song writing, and the type of music that they like. It’s about linking the music to their personal circumstances, how they are feeling and how music can help them in a restorative sense to feel better about themselves,” explained Luke.

“We work with service users individually and in groups where music can help people to connect with others. The impact has been considerable and we’ve had some positive feedback in terms of improved self-confidence, that sessions are something to look forward to and give them the opportunity to escape from normal life and experience something different.”
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