Our Work With Charities
In bringing a new music therapy service to Bristol we have several goals that we wanted to fulfil; aspects of the work we do that we feel strongly about upholding. We want to interact meaningfully with the communities in and around Bristol, as well as provide more access to arts and music therapy interventions to as many people as possible, with as few barriers to entry as possible. In working with local charities, we hope to meet these aims.
If you want to see the charity projects we’ve been involved with then continue down the page. If you’d like to get in touch about developing music therapy oppertunities for your charity’s service users, or you’d like us to get in touch with a charity you support, then click the button to send us an email!
BAS x BMT 2024
In 2024 Bristol Autism Support (BAS) & Bristol Music Therapy (BMT) teamed up to provide group taster sessions and a group music therapy project for Bristol Autism Support service users.
We discussed Bristol Autism Support’s mission and what was possible together. We opened the question up, asking Bristol Autism Support service users what they wanted to see from a collaboration between our organisations.
Bristol Autism Support’s service users overwhelmingly responded that they’d like their children to be able to access group music therapy over the option for music therapy for carers of ASC children.
We held two taster sessions, North Bristol & South Bristol, later facilitating a music therapy group for six children, lasting eight sessions from September through to November.
Outcomes
Together in Music
Children, parents and therapists agreed that group cohesion and togetherness in music changed over time, with members listening to eachother and contributing more together as time went on.
Social Interaction
The group members experienced a wide range of social interactions. Some were very positive, and some were difficult to navigate. Group members became more able to express their needs in the group, as well as better negotiate between eachother during games.
Sharing & Expressing
Some group members shared important personal experiences with the group. Their experiences were incorporated into the group music making. Some parents said that their child became more confident expressing themselves outside of the group.
Relationships
The group members experienced a variety of relationships between themselves and the therapists. Several parents fed back that group members had become friends outside the group, and continued to spend time together after the group finished.
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