Music Helps is a training course from UK-based charity Music as Therapy International.
For over 25 years, we have been inspiring, guiding and championing caregivers’ use of music to strengthen care around the world. We strongly believe that music – when used in a meaningful way – can transform care relationships and enable people to see the person they are caring for differently.
Drawing on the core principles of music therapy, our training equips caregivers with new techniques and targeted musical activities to facilitate interaction, support social and emotional wellbeing, and enhance person-centred care.
For more information on our work and training activities, please visit our main website at www.musicastherapy.org
Working at the heart of dementia care
We have long been leading advocates of the use of music in dementia care. Since 2016, we have trained and supported carers and practitioners up and down the country, helping them embed music into the care they provide for people living with dementia.
Our approach, insight and innovation have been recognised within the sector more widely, including a shortlisting for an Advancing Healthcare Award (Realising Potential through Creativity), and in 2016 our director sat on the International Longevity Centre’s Commission on Dementia and Music.
Origins of the course
Music Helps was inspired by Swedish training course Mötas I Musik, created by Katarina Lindbland and Demenscentrum. With permission to adapt their model, we developed and successfully piloted Music Helps (India) in 2021. Recognising its potential to support caregivers in a multicultural UK context, we subsequently developed and piloted Music Helps (UK) in 2024.
The pilot of Music Helps (UK) showed the course to be highly effective in strengthening caregivers’ knowledge and confidence to use music as a tool to support the care of someone living with dementia. Feedback also evidenced the immediate positive benefits of the training for both caregivers and the people living with dementia who they support. Read more in our impact summary report.
