Community
Music is a powerful tool for expression, communication and social connection
Camerata in the Community
Our work in the Community uses music to improve lives across cultural education and health & social care.
Be it providing vital music therapy for people living with dementia, training professional carers and running dementia Music Cafes as part of our Music In Mind programme, or empowering young people through our music-making work in schools, bringing together communities through music is at the heart of what we do. We work with a highly skilled group of specially trained professional musicians, music therapists, composers and theatre makers to develop and make this work happen, alongside more than ten years’ research partnership with The University of Manchester.
Music and dementia
Meaningful moments of connection, a conversation without words.
Manchester Camerata has been delivering its award-winning Music in Mind programme for people with dementia and their carers since 2012, supporting people living with dementia and their carers to live well through the unique power of music.
Led by professional musicians, music therapists and our own Music Champions, Music Cafés provide ‘in the moment’ person-centred care for people living with dementia. They bring moments of joy, connection, true expression and help enhance the wellbeing of all who attend.
In May of 2024 we were awarded the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia. Now, our Music in Mind team is working on a Greater Manchester-wide project to train as many Music Champions in our Music in Mind techniques as possible. To get involved, visit their website via the link below.
Music and Young People
Our projects use creativity to promote personal and social development within young people’s lives, by creating new music on each project and making sure everyone’s ideas are heard – and valued.
Facilitated by a resident team of Manchester Camerata musicians plus specially-trained composers, music therapists, theatre makers and visual artists, we encourage expression, communication and development of new skills through music making.