Naomi House offers respite activities to suit lots of different interests however one of the most popular is music therapy. As each child is different there are different styles of music therapy that we offer at Naomi House to ensure we find a style that each child can enjoy.  

Philip has been working with Naomi House for around 6 years and visit’s both Naomi House and jacksplace roughly once a month. On his visits he conducts two different types of music and poetry sessions with the children one of which is as a group and the other one-to-one. His sessions use music to tell stories and poems, taking the children on a musical journey. In the group session each child is issued with an instrument and encouraged to join in with the story telling. This helps them to find a voice through the music. Although often very noisy, it allows for the children to enjoy making music with their friends and is accessible for any child of any ability.

Although the one-to-one sessions follow a similar theme to the groups they differ in that it gives Philip the opportunity to gain insight into what the child or young adult may like doing most. This could be writing poetry, playing with instruments or creating lyrics for a song. On his most recent visit Philip shared some time with young adult Jade who has been staying at jacksplace. With his guidance Jade wrote a fantastic poem reflecting on her life which she entitled “The Gathering of Pieevzha”. To think of the title Jade was encouraged to think of her favourite animal, favourite word and favourite food. These were a Python, Floccinauxicinihilipilification (meaning the estimation of something valueless) and baby leaves. It was with using one syllable from each of these words that Jade created “Pieevzha”. Speaking of her session with Philip Jade said, “I am really pleased with my poem and really enjoyed my session with Philip. He helps you express yourself and be creative, without even realising you were doing so”.  You can download jade's poem here: Jade's Poem [PDF, 286k] .

Margaret also run’s one-to-one music therapy sessions at Naomi House and has been doing so since 1998. These are very personal sessions and there is huge emphasis on the child being in control. Margaret will begin communication by either singing or making a noise with an instrument. The child is then encouraged to respond making a noise with the instrument of their choice, as though there is a conversation between instruments. This kind of communication through music is fantastic opportunity for children to express themselves, particularly for those who are sensory and cannot express themselves verbally.

Music therapy is particularly important at Naomi House and jacksplace as each child or young person can benefit from it, no matter their ability. It is not only great fun but an opportunity for the children to be creative and convey how they are feeling. Lisa Hannington is a member of the play at Naomi House and often sits in on music therapy sessions. She said, “It’s amazing to watch a childs response during music therapy and watching them maximise their creative potential”.