Lifting spirits and sharing music
“Music gladdens the heart and makes you feel better”
– Patient
Our Healing Sounds live music programme brings live music to the bedside of patients in various healthcare settings to give people a lift, to brighten the atmosphere and to humanise the space. Waterford Healing Arts currently brings Healing Sounds to the South East Palliative Care Centre, University Hospital Waterford and Waterford Residential Care Centre.
Through music, our professional musicians, who are trained to work in healthcare settings, help to ease the anxiety and worry often experienced by patients and their families. Music can be a comfort to people at all stages of life, offering people a positive experience which can make a real difference and help a person to feel ‘normal’ at a difficult time.
Healing Sounds on the Wards has been running for 14 years and is currently delivered by a team of five musicians: Alan Browne, Michelle Haberlin and Liam Kavanagh, who are mentored by their senior colleagues Liam Merriman and Eoin O Meachair, and supported by Waterford Healing Arts staff. The programme enhances quality of life for patients, family members and staff by moving the conversation away from the illness, creating new memories and promoting connection.
“Please pass on our sincere thanks to all the team for the joy they brought to Dad (and ourselves)… It meant the world to us to see Dad so happy and singing along to the music. It enabled us to make some wonderful memories during Dad’s final weeks and for that we are eternally grateful.”
– Family member
