Haven House extends music therapy services thanks to a grant from Amy Winehouse Foundation

The foundation funded Haven House’s music room two years ago, and the latest funding will enable the hospice to increase the number of music therapy sessions it offers, as well as funding a part-time therapist and increasing the hours of the therapies manager.

Music therapy can help children with life-limiting conditions increase their communication, interaction and social skills. It also has a positive effect on physical skills and overall wellbeing.

Next month, the British Association for Music Therapy will be hosting a conference in Glasgow which will discuss the need to raise the profile of music therapy and make sure that health commissioners are fully aware of its benefits.

Haven House therapies manager, Maeve Rigney, will speak at the event on behalf of the hospice.

“Since establishing the music therapy service at Haven House in 2010, it has been a real pleasure to share the joy of music with so many children and to see the positive impact it can have on a child’s life,” she explained.

“To have the support of the Amy Winehouse Foundation is truly wonderful and it enables us to reach more children through music therapy. Without this therapeutic input, some of these children’s voices may never be heard. We provide time for them to communicate.”

Maxine Davies’ eight-year-old son Kai, who has cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia, uses the music therapy services at the north-east London hospice.

“I’m blown away with what Maeve has achieved for Kai with music therapy. To see his little face light up every time we go in the music room is absolutely amazing. Kai has done so much more through music therapy than I ever thought he could. We are so proud of him,” she said.

Mitch Winehouse, a trustee of the foundation and the father of the singer after whom it was named, added: “Music meant the world to Amy and to see what it can do for children at Haven House is truly inspiring. The foundation is delighted that even more children will be able to benefit from the fantastic work of Maeve and her team.”