More Than Music: The Impact of Music Therapy at Turner Home

At Turner Home, music has always had a special way of bringing people together. But over the past few months, it has become something more – a growing part of the therapeutic support available to our residents.

Thanks to a generous £3,000 grant from the Hemby Trust, we were able to recruit a qualified Music Therapist and establish a specialist music therapy service at Turner Home in May 2026.

Just four months into the programme, we're already seeing the difference it can make.

70 therapeutic sessions – and counting

Between May and August 2026, residents took part in 70 formally recorded therapeutic sessions, including 22 group sessions and 48 individual sessions, with music therapy now taking place twice each week.

Sessions are shaped around the individual interests, abilities and aspirations of our residents, incorporating everything from singing and drumming to songwriting, reminiscence, improvisation and music technology.

But while the numbers give us an indication of how the service has grown, they only tell part of the story.

Creating opportunities to connect, express and be heard

Music can provide another way to communicate – particularly when expressing thoughts or emotions through words may be difficult.

Through music therapy, residents have been given opportunities to explore emotions, reconnect with memories, build relationships and express themselves creatively in a supportive environment.

Group sessions have created some wonderful shared moments too, with residents enjoying music from favourites including The Beatles, Elvis Presley, T Rex and Queen.

These sessions aren't simply about listening to music.

They can spark conversations, encourage participation, evoke memories and create moments of connection between residents and those around them.

Behind every number is a story 💚

Some of the most powerful evidence of the programme's impact can be found in the individual moments taking place during sessions.

One resident living with dementia has demonstrated a remarkable connection with music, playing familiar pieces from memory and improvising freely on the piano.

During one particularly special session, he began playing the melody of a much-loved hymn. Although he couldn't remember all of the words, others joined him in singing – creating a moving shared moment through music.

Another resident arrived at a session with lyrics he had written himself. Working alongside our Music Therapist, those words were developed into a completed song and recording.

Since then, he has continued writing and sharing new material.

Elsewhere, another resident has embraced music technology, creating and recording original tracks and sharing his work with staff – providing an opportunity for creativity, achievement and recognition.

These are the moments that show what music therapy can mean beyond the session itself.

Looking at the wider impact

Between May and August 2026, Turner Home also recorded a 16% reduction in incidents compared with the same period in 2025.

There are many different factors that can influence incident levels, so this reduction cannot be attributed to music therapy alone.

However, it is an encouraging trend alongside the additional opportunities the programme has created for positive engagement, emotional expression, relationship building and self-regulation.

As the programme develops, we'll continue looking at its outcomes and learning more about the role music therapy can play within the wider support available to our residents.

What comes next?

We're only at the beginning.

Following the first few months of the programme, we're now looking at how music therapy can develop further across Turner Home.

Future plans include exploring additional groups such as drumming and songwriting sessions, delivering therapy in more areas of the home, strengthening collaboration between our Music Therapist and care teams, and creating more opportunities for staff to become involved.

Most importantly, music therapy is developing into more than a programme of activities. It is becoming part of how we support residents' mental health, wellbeing and quality of life.

Thank you, Hemby Trust 💚

None of this would have been possible without the support of the Hemby Trust.

Their £3,000 grant has helped Turner Home establish a specialist therapeutic service that is creating opportunities for residents to express themselves, connect with others, rediscover memories and feel heard, valued and connected.

70 therapeutic sessions in four months – and so many meaningful moments that simply can't be measured by a number. 🎶💚