The Power of Music

We are delighted to be part of the Power of Music consortium, a group of organisations that is implementing the recommendations of the 2022 Power of Music report.

Many studies have shown the benefits of music for our health and wellbeing, especially in supporting people living with conditions like dementia. Music projects can play a key role in social prescribing, with link workers connecting people to groups and activities in their area and beyond.

In 2022, UK Music and Music for Dementia joined forces to publish a report that outlines how to use music to help improve the nation’s health and wellbeing.

The report was created to amplify – to government, business and the general public – how music can be used to improve the lives of those dealing with dementia, depression, and other debilitating conditions.

At a time when health and social care services remain under intense pressure, it demonstrates how the use of music can support staff, create financial savings and help to achieve improved health and care outcomes.

Crucially, the report outlined ambitious but achievable recommendations to deliver positive change.

One of the main recommendations of the Power of Music Report was for extra funding to make music projects accessible to those who need them most.

That’s why we have set up The Power of Music Fund – an ambitious fund to support local groups and organisations that provide music-related activities supporting health and wellbeing.

The fund was kickstarted by a £1 million grant from the Utley Foundation, and aims to bring together support from a range of sources – including Government bodies, philanthropists, trusts and foundations, businesses and individual donors.

This shared investment model is a realistic and practical way of funding community-based social prescribing activities, so that people who would benefit from non-medical support can be referred to it.

So far, working with the Utley Foundation, we have provided 100 small grants of £1,000 to support dementia choirs and singing groups that were struggling to keep going due to rising costs.

In November 2023, we launched a larger fund to reach many more groups that make a difference, and to connect health systems with community organisations to ensure that many more people living with dementia can benefit.

The Power of Music Fund has grown from the Paul and Nick Harvey Fund in 2021, through which we worked jointly with Music for Dementia and The Utley Foundation, and a donation from the Hunter Foundation, to issue grants to 36 music and dementia projects around the UK.