The Wandering Minstrels Project 

Over the last 18 months, specially trained healthcare musicians worked alongside patients, families and NHS staff across cancer, stroke, dementia and renal services at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton.

Together, they explored how live music can support wellbeing, foster connection and enhance the hospital experience.

The project inspired Home From Home - a four-track EP celebrating the people, stories and moments that shaped this unique journey.

Bringing live music into hospital life

Wandering Minstrels was a two-year partnership between Air Arts and Sinfonia Viva, bringing healthcare musicians and orchestral musicians together to work in hospital settings.

Rather than delivering traditional performances, musicians responded to the people and environments around them, adapting their music to each ward, patient and moment.

From helping spark memories on dementia wards to supporting rehabilitation in stroke services and providing comfort during long dialysis treatments, music became part of everyday hospital life.

The difference music can make

Over the course of the project, musicians worked with more than 4,000 patients across four clinical areas.

An independent evaluation of the project found that live music helped:
- Create moments of connection and distraction
- Support communication and self-expression
- Reduce anxiety and improve wellbeing
- Strengthen relationships between patients, families and staff
- Humanise clinical environments

Watch the journey

From hospital wards to the recording sessions at Derby Cathedral, this short 90 second film captures how live music brought comfort, connection and joy to patients, families and staff, and inspired Home From Home, a lasting musical legacy of the project.

This 90 second Video showcases the journey our musicians have been on and the real life impact

Discover the people, stories and moments that shaped the Wandering Minstrels project.

Voices from the project

It seemed that they lifted the mood of the entire ward including staff, patients and visitors

Hospital visitor

The music was uplifting for everyone and had a positive effect on the unit. Music can really change the mood of a space. How lucky we are to have them with us!

Staff member

The artists created a calm atmosphere. The music was beautiful and at the right tone. They accommodate all our patients needs and one family specially got real joy listening to the music with her mother as she loved classical music. A memory that they shared. Very much making a difference.

Staff member

We don’t play to people, we play with them.

Sinfonia Viva Musician

The music wouldn’t exist without the patients and staff who welcomed us into their lives

Air Arts music co-ordinator

Home From Home EP

Coming soon...

A musical legacy

Throughout the project, musicians spent time listening to stories, building relationships and understanding what mattered to the people they met.

Those experiences inspired Home From Home - four original pieces reflecting the people and communities at the heart of the project.

Help support arts in health

Wandering Minstrels showed how music can help people feel more connected, supported and like themselves during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

With your support, Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity can continue bringing music, arts and creative health projects to patients, families and NHS staff across our hospitals.