More Music in Morecambe awarded £130,000 to extend old people's loneliness project

Following an initial investment of £40k to pilot two Music For Health projects in Morecambe: Seagull Café and Chameleons Singing for Health, Spirit of 2012 is delighted to award £130,000 to extend More Music’s groundbreaking project to tackle loneliness and social isolation for Morecambe’s older and younger residents for a further two years.

Working in partnership with local GPs through the Bay Medical Group network (BMG), Music for Health brings people at risk of isolation together in a safe, creative, musical and fun environment.

Since it opened in 2019, Seagull Café and its professional musicians has convened large groups of over-60s for tea, cake, chats, and singalongs.

But that’s not all. Each session has a serious underlying goal: to improve community health and wellbeing through engagement with community singing and conversation.

Chameleons Singing for Health offers singing and song-writing sessions to young people with diagnosed mental health conditions, run by experienced musicians and supported by a youth social worker from Morecambe’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Many of the participants are referred either by their GP or through CAMHS. And, while it’s the people of Morecambe who benefit directly, what the team is learning about social prescribing models and impact, and breaking down barriers to participation in arts and music, could help provide a framework for similar projects across the UK.

One Seagull Café participant said that: “Coming to Seagull Café makes a big difference to our lives, from feeling isolated and uneasy we look forward to Tuesdays and come away feeling more positive.”

A family member of another member praised the project: “This project has made a major difference to my Dad’s life. He is more confident in social situations, loves the singing and is still singing the songs throughout the week at home.”

Over the next two years, More Music will continue to develop the Seagull Café for over-60s and the Chameleons Singing for Health through weekly sessions.

They also have plans to establish a new group at West End Impact, working with vulnerable people who face multiple disadvantage such as homelessness, addiction and isolation.

During the coronavirus crisis and lockdown, which has increased the risk of social isolation, More Music has continued to keep in contact with Seagull Café regulars by taking to the road and visiting them outside their homes and care homes for socially-distanced singalongs.

Announcing the award of the grant, Ruth Hollis, chief executive at Spirit of 2012 said: “We are delighted to extend funding for the Music For Health project for a further two years.

"The panel was particularly drawn to More Music’s approach in working collaboratively with health professionals to provide creative sessions with meaningful impacts on wellbeing, and the insights and knowledge that have come from this.

"Many of us have had our worlds turned upside down because of Covid-19, but More Music has really stepped up to the plate, ensuring that when its most needed, they are continuing to share smiles and connections with the people of Morecambe who are at risk of isolation.”

Kathryn MacDonald, More Music’s Communities and Engagement Director said: “We are thrilled to be awarded further funding from Spirit of 2012. Our programmes of singing in partnership with CAMHS (Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services) and Bay Medical Group have already been proven to improve the mental health and well being of participants.

"The importance of continuing this work, connecting with our communities and showing that we care has never been more important.

"During the lockdown period and beyond, creative work that brings people together and does effect social change is more necessary than ever.”