Community
Manchester Camerata exists to make a difference. In 2023-24, our work has not only deepened our connections within Greater Manchester and beyond, but has also underscored our commitment to research-driven impact, ensuring our efforts remain innovative, scalable, and effective.
A key achievement this year was the successful delivery of our Music in Mind Remote project. Developed in partnership with The University of Manchester, this initiative expanded our reach, offering valuable resources to professionals in community and care settings to support those living with dementia.
The insights from this project were pivotal in securing Manchester Camerata’s leadership of the new National Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia. As we embrace this national role, we are committed to deeper collaboration with academics and NHS stakeholders to assess the economic benefits of music-based therapies, building a compelling case for their broader adoption.
Our Music in Mind programme continues to evolve, with the development of the Music Champions model, which involves the transfer of skills from our musicians and therapists to paid and volunteer carers. This year, we successfully trained and supported over 60 Music Champions across Greater Manchester. These individuals are now equipped to deliver music therapy-based interventions, ensuring that the impact of our work continues to resonate within local communities long after the initial training has ended.
In addition to expanding our team of trained musicians and therapists, we enhanced our training materials and standardised our methods, making them accessible via the new Music in Mind website. This allows us to roll out the Music Champions model at scale, extending our reach to regions outside Greater Manchester. We also prioritised adapting our content to meet the needs of people living with dementia from diverse cultural backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity in our approach.
Our commitment to youth engagement remained strong, with sustained partnerships such as the one with Webster Primary School, where we are expanding to include teacher training focused on integrating more music into the curriculum.
Our collaborations with the YouthZone network have also flourished this year, with successful projects in Wigan and Gorton. These projects culminated in performances at sold-out Albert Hall concerts, where YouthZone participants shared the stage with our orchestra.
This year, we also partnered with Orchestras Live to produce another successful Classically Yours event in Withernsea and Hornsea, paying tribute to the lifesaving work of the RNLI. In Staffordshire, our work in 20 schools culminated in a celebratory concert in Cannock, showcasing local talent and creativity.
Looking Forward
We have initiated a consultant-led review of our Young People’s programme which will help us understand our strengths and refine our strategy. This will ensure our future efforts are aligned with our long-term goals and continue to deliver maximum impact.
As we continue to evolve and expand our community work, the stories of transformation we’ve witnessed this year reaffirm our belief in the power of music to create positive change. We are excited to build on this success, using music to connect, inspire, and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.