Barchester care home featured in BBC documentary on music therapy

Barchester Adlington Manor Care Home in Macclesfield appeared in the BBC Imagine series exploring how music plays an important role in rehabilitation and wellbeing.

Aired last night, ‘How Music Makes Us Feel’, edited by Alan Yentnob identified how music is important through all life stages and looked at how older people with neurological conditions are moved by the power of music.

Nordoff Robbins music therapist Richard Sanderson visits Barchester’s Adlington Manor several times a week.

Since 2005, he has used music therapy, in both one-to-one and open groups, to promote self-esteem, encourage independence and celebrate the life of the residents.

During the BBC programme, Mr Sanderson was seen conducting interactive individual and group sessions.

One Adlington Manor resident was filmed dancing to the music and another stirred out of her chair to accompany Richard on the keyboard.

Richard Sanderson, music therapist, said: "Music has the power to overcome confusion and anxiety and take people to ‘another place’ where they can regain orientation, connect with other people and become reconnected to their own past positive emotional experiences.

“Seeing the positive changes is a continual inspiration to me."

At Adlington Manor, residents are supported with music therapy, especially those living with dementia in the home's Memory Lane community.

The home created the 'Music Therapy Partnership' with Nordoff Robbins, a national specialist music charity, in 2005.

The results have a profound impact on individuals with neurological conditions such as MS, Stroke, Alzheimer's or dementia, and on those around them.

Mark McDonald, manager at Adlington Manor Care Home, said: "Music therapy is an important part of life at Adlington Manor and I think the BBC series has captured a snapshot of what we have set out to achieve.

“Richard's inspirational therapy has been an invaluable tool with many of our residents and to be able to share the collective joy this brings to the whole community continues to be both a privilege and honour to witness.”

Many other Barchester homes around the country also have visiting Nordoff Robbins music therapists.

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