For many children with cerebral palsy, rare genetic conditions and chromosomal disorders, communicating with the world can be a daily challenge. At Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity, our Making Music Together programme uses music therapy to provide an alternative way for children to express themselves, build relationships and develop important communication skills. Through singing, rhythm, movement and play, children are encouraged to engage in ways that are meaningful to them, helping to build confidence and emotional wellbeing in a fun and supportive environment.
What makes the programme particularly special is the way it works alongside our physiotherapy and speech and language therapy services. By aligning therapeutic goals across disciplines, children are given multiple opportunities to practise and reinforce new skills. Parents and carers are also actively involved, learning simple techniques that can be used at home to support communication, emotional regulation and interaction long after the session has ended.
The impact can be profound. One non-verbal child has learned to use drumming and changes in tempo and volume to express frustration, helping to improve emotional regulation and reduce distress.
As one parent recently shared: "Shay is always excited when we tell him he's going to music. He signs 'music' and points the way to the building. Even though Shay is non-verbal, he is very communicative and expressive so these sessions give him a space to do just that."
Through Making Music Together, children are discovering their voice, families are finding support, and new connections are being built every day. Thank you to the incredible support from philanthropists like the Pixel Trust, more children like Shay can have access to a world of communication and expression.