Music Therapy For Hospice Kids
07 June 2007
Local gas charity ‘Phoenix Energy for Children Trust’ has recently provided the funds to give our local children’s hospice an opportunity to experience the many benefits of having music therapy.
The Children's Hospice on O’Neill Road houses family rooms, art rooms, music rooms, play areas, a multi-sensory room and even a hydrotherapy pool. However the organisation receives no government funding and relies totally on the generosity of local people and businesses. Offering a home from home environment, it is a place where life-limited children and their families feel safe, welcome and supported.
Michelle Wooderson is the music therapist the Hospice has been able to appoint to work with the children and she explained the value of the funding by saying:
“Music therapy is an invaluable part of the care that is being provided by the Hospice. The process stimulates all of a child’s senses and can prove to be both motivating and relaxing. The practice of music therapy has consistently proven that it can encourage self-expression, communication, and can even help remedy some speech and language problems.”
The Phoenix Energy for Children Charitable Trust was set up last year by the local natural gas industry, to raise money towards the needs of local disadvantaged children and to really make a difference to their lives.
Pic: Brothers Richard and Patrick Douglas enjoy the benefits of music therapy at the Hospice. Joining them are (L-R) local gas installer Phillip Bannon, Gail Lilly of the Children’s Hospice and music therapist Gail Wooderson.