Music in Hospital Programme
Bringing Comfort, Connection and Wellbeing Through Live Music
For more than 25 years, The Friends of Conquest Hospital has funded and supported a Music in Hospital Programme that brings the power of live music directly into hospital spaces. This programme creates moments of comfort and peace for patients, staff and visitors in what can sometimes be challenging situations.
Why Music Matters
A hospital stay can be stressful, isolating and emotionally demanding. Live music offers a simple yet powerful way to improve wellbeing, reduce anxiety and create positive shared experiences. It can:
- Improve mood and emotional wellbeing
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Create a more welcoming hospital environment
- Support patients living with dementia by encouraging reminiscence and meaningful connection
- Provide moments of distraction, comfort and enjoyment during treatment and recovery
The impact extends beyond patients, benefiting family members awaiting news of loved ones and supporting staff working in busy clinical environments.
If you would like to be involved, find out more about volunteering or get in touch.
Live Music Across the Hospital
The programme typically provides around three performances every month, with music taking place in public spaces and on the Frailty and Dementia Ward. Our musicians are experienced in healthcare settings and understand how to adapt their performances to meet the needs of patients and ward environments. They include a professional harpist, a flute and guitar duo and a concert-level pianist, composer and accordion player.
The value of live music is best demonstrated by the experiences of the people it reaches.
Real Impact, Real Stories
Our harpist Fiona, recalls a patient who regularly attended performances during his treatment:
“Before his death, he had instructed his friend to email me and let me know that my playing at the Hospital had helped relieve his pain and suffering before he died.”
Duo Glashien reflected on the effect music has on patients being moved around the hospital:
“Patients being wheeled along on hospital beds particularly love it and briefly stop to listen – I can see their faces clearly change from forgetting where they are to enjoying the music.”
“Before we knew it, our pianist Louise was joined by an impromptu choir of patients in their dressing gowns for a wonderful, sing-along session to songs from the musicals.”
These moments, and many more, demonstrate how music can provide comfort, dignity and human connection when it is needed most.
Looking to the Future
The Friends of Conquest Hospital is committed to sustaining and growing this much-loved programme. Alongside continuing regular performances across adult wards and communal spaces, we are exploring a new children’s ward pilot will help us explore new ways to bring the therapeutic benefits of music to even more patients.
If you would like to be involved, find out more about volunteering or get in touch.