The power of music in children’s hospice care

Everyone can interact with music

There’s a common misconception that deaf people can’t enjoy music, but no one has helped break down these barriers more than Strictly Come Dancing winner, Rose Ayling-Ellis, who made history as the show’s first ever deaf contestant in 2021. She’s shown us all that music isn’t just about what you hear through your ears; it’s about what you feel, what you see, and the way your body moves and reacts to the music. It taps into all your senses, and at Chestnut Tree House it transcends all communication barriers.

There’s one young man we care for who is profoundly deaf, and he loves the music room. His favourite thing to do is lie on the giant xylophone so he can feel the rhythm and vibrations as the keys are struck. Or, he’ll sit with a drum on his lap in a group session. He might not be playing the instrument, but he’s still part of the group, still connected to the same beat.

For another child we care for who is blind, his whole world is music. He’s never without his keyboard and he expresses himself through his performances and always gets everyone dancing! Then there are other children who are non-verbal, but the first sound you might hear them make on a visit is when we put on their favourite tune. Or, children who don’t have a lot of mobility and might not have moved much all day, but suddenly you’ll see legs flying and arms waving to music. If they are completely immobile, they might like us to sit next to them and move their hand to the beat or we’ll wheel their chair around the room so they can dance and interact with the other children.

It brings us all together

At Chestnut Tree House, we’re all like a family under one roof. We eat together, we play together, and we make music together.

Music is all about sharing and there’s nothing better than getting everyone together – children, parents, siblings, carers, and staff – to sing, dance, socialise and make lots of noise.

Most of the children and young people we care for have complex conditions which can sometimes leave them feeling cut off and isolated, but when we all create music together there’s an amazing feeling of connection. We’re all listening; we’re all feeling the beat; we’re all part of that moment.

Music sessions are always guided by what the children and young people want to do and how they might be feeling that day. If they’re feeling tired or overwhelmed then we might sing calming ballads together, but equally if energy levels are high then it’s quite normal to find us all having a full-on disco at 1pm in the afternoon!

Where words fail, music speaks

Music can also help navigate emotions and make a statement about our identity. For example, some of the Chestnut teenagers spend loads of time writing songs and their lyrics can be a way of processing their feelings and frustrations where conversations might be hard to have. They’re also part of a teenage Youth Group who love to hang out and play their favourite bands. Sometimes they don’t say much at all but will connect and form relationships with each other through their musical tastes and choice of songs. In a few months’ time the Youth Group are all taking part in a DJ workshop and they’ll be putting their new skills to the test by DJing at their own summer party!

As well as bringing joy, there are occasions when music is used to help family members through difficult times. From playing calming guitar at a child’s bedside at home, to spending an afternoon with a sibling who wants to record a song as a way to remember their brother or sister. Or, helping a family to create a playlist full of songs that hold special memories after their child has died.

Inclusive. Fun. Therapeutic. Music is all these things and more, and however our children, young people and their families want to engage with music, we’re here to help make that happen.