Awareness and evidence are growing of the value of music-making and listening for health and wellbeing in diverse contexts and across ages. Where and how do organisations in Sheffield put this into practice, and who benefits from these activities? A team from the Music Mind Machine lab in the Department of Music, led by Renee Timmers, is investigating this in a new project supported by Research England. The project looks into the ways that music is used to support health and wellbeing in professional contexts in Sheffield, with the aims of making the topic of music for wellbeing more visible and easy to access, and to create a map of music and wellbeing in Sheffield.
The project will conduct a comprehensive survey to map organisations and activities in Sheffield, including those which use music with individuals or groups, to support mental, social, or physical health or wellbeing. For example, music is used to
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actively promote physical health
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improve mood and provide comfort
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bring together and build connections within the community
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ease pain
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increase mobility and promote exercise
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reduce stress and or anxiety
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promote education
A conference is planned to bring together practitioners, academics, and policymakers from Sheffield and surroundings to showcase and discuss the use of music for health and wellbeing.
The conference will be held on 20th March 2020, St Mary’s Church and Conference Centre, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4QZ, 10 am-5.30 pm.
Contact the team on musicmappingsheffield@sheffield.ac.uk