The hospital, in Anick Road, Northumberland supports women with complex mental health needs and has launched weekly music therapy sessions with Paddy Villiers-Stuart. Paddy is currently undertaking the Master of Music Therapy Programme at Nordoff Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity.
Music therapy is an established psychological clinical intervention, and it is gradually growing its popularity in the UK. The therapy has been introduced in different settings including care homes, hospitals and schools for children with special needs.
Paddy, from Hexham, has been working as a community musician for over 10 years, providing music sessions and workshops for adults and children. He brings guitar, triangles, shakers, percussion instruments to Cygnet Hospital Hexham and he sings with service users and works with them to create original music.
Explaining the benefits of music therapy, Paddy added: “Music therapy gives people the opportunity to experience their capacities for creativity and opens up possibilities for communication and connection to people who might feel isolated.”
“For those who might find it difficult to have meaningful or deep connections, music gives them the space to feel the connection and makes them feel that they are part of something significant. Sometimes music enables us to interact with people who wouldn’t necessarily engage with other professionals in the service.”
He added: “Due to the nature of the ward, you need to be really flexible and responsive to the environment. Some days can be more challenging than others however, at the same time, the people there are absolutely amazing.”
Rebecca French, Occupational Therapist at Cygnet Hospital Hexham said: “When someone is quite mentally unwell, it is sometimes very hard for them to communicate verbally on how they’re feeling or how they’re experiencing their illnesses. Paddy’s music sessions bring out our ladies’ creativity and emotions through the word of music and dance.”
She added: “I like how he can just go with the flow. He just goes into a room, analyses the situation and goes along with it. He sits with our service users for as long as he needs to and he doesn’t really put any boundaries or anything around it.”
“It’s been lovely to see an intrinsic interaction of music therapy and occupational therapy working simultaneously and it is an eye-opening experience for me as a professional to see how the two can combine and complement each other so nicely.”
Anthony Saiger, Hospital Manager said: “The music therapy provides a diversion from upsetting thoughts and negative psychological thinking and leads to improved mental status. Paddy has such a nice and calm personality and it’s been very well received by the service users.”
“Although Paddy is finishing his placement at Cygnet Hospital Hexham in June this year, we are in talks to continue his sessions after June as our service users enjoy the sessions so much and we have seen some great outcomes.”