Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity receives national funding to bring live music to hospital wards
Patients, staff and visitors across five Derby, Derbyshire and Staffordshire hospitals are set to experience the transformative power of music as Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity’s Air Arts team, in collaboration with Sinfonia Viva, launches the Wandering Minstrels Project.
This two-year initiative, funded by Arts Council England and Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity, will take live music into to five key clinical specialisms: Dementia, Cancer, Stroke, Renal & End-of-life care, as well as continuing to support the hospitals with visits from other musicians as part of the current music programme.
Professional musicians from the Charity’s Air Arts Team and Sinfonia Viva will perform across wards, waiting areas and other spaces, aiming to enhance wellbeing, support recovery, and create uplifting moments for patients, staff and visitors in clinical environments.
A ground-breaking research initiative
The Wandering Minstrels Project will break new ground by working with clinicians to develop musicians understanding of these clinical areas, and to help understand the impact of live music patients undergoing treatment for cancer and those receiving treatment on renal wards, whilst building on existing studies into its benefits for stroke, dementia and end-of-life care.
The project aims to uncover how music can aid recovery and improve patient experiences across these specialties, and will be evaluated as such, including looking at musicians’ development and how they can be better equipped to work within the sector.
A specific research project into the impact of music for patients whilst receiving renal dialysis, will be conducted with the University of Derby, looking into the benefits of music during treatment and the impact of this within the sector.
Findings from the evaluation, which will be conducted in collaboration with Orchestras Live will be shared with healthcare organisations across the UK. This will create a blueprint for integrating music into hospital care, inspiring similar projects nationwide. Already the team are receiving interest from overseas healthcare organisations, so it is hoped that, eventually, the research will gain global recognition.
Supporting patients, staff and performers
The project’s impact extends beyond patients, as it also supports the professional development of musicians working in healthcare settings. Musicians will participate in specialised training sessions, delivered by clinical specialists, to equip them with the skills and understanding needed to adapt their performances to each hospital ward’s unique needs.
The collaborative approach to the project will inform the musicians practise, and the musicians learning the project will aid in transforming workforce training and development for the sector. The collaboration between Air Arts Musicians and Sinfonia Viva, sees professional musicians from different musician sectors and background, working together and skill sharing, to really home in on the skill set necessary for this type of musical delivery.
Air Arts Project Lead, Rosie Rutherford said:
“Music has the power to connect people, transform spaces, and bring moments of joy even in the most challenging environments. The Wandering Minstrels Project will not only enrich the lives of patients and staff but also advance our understanding of music’s healing potential.”
Looking to the future
In addition to its research focus, the project will celebrate its conclusion in 2026 with the creation of original musical works inspired by the experiences of patients and staff. These compositions will be performed by the Derby Cathedral Choir and the Staff Wellbeing Choir, with proceeds supporting future Air Arts initiatives.
The findings and evaluations from Orchestras Live will provide invaluable resources for healthcare organisations and professional musical bodies, demonstrating the profound impact of integrating the arts into patient care.