Suffolk Music Therapy Services

Suffolk Music Therapy Services We provide professional music therapy to children & adults across East Anglia. What is Music Therapy? Music is all around us. Music can affect our mood.

Music forms our heritage, culture, identity and spiritual beliefs. We have music played at football matches, in shopping centres, churches and on the television. Music is a powerful medium which can affect us all deeply. It may help us to relax when we have had a long day at work or school. Alternatively, it can stimulate and motivate us when we are at the gym or a party. Music therapy is based on

the understanding that everyone of us is musical - we are all able to respond to music, no matter what our age, impairment or psychological situation. Both children and adults with a wide range of needs and difficulties make use of music therapy. Therapists work with both individuals and small groups. Those who benefit from music therapy may include people who experience:
• Acquired disabilities (e.g. stroke)
• Autistic spectrum disorders
• Dementia
• Depression
• Emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Impact of old age
• Learning disabilities
• Life-limiting illness
• Neurological impairment
• Trauma
• Sensory impairment
• Speech and language disorders

Music therapy is a process through which children and adults can express themselves, become aware of their feelings and interact more easily. Through making music with the therapist, a range of benefits may be achieved. The music therapist is trained to improvise music spontaneously with the child or adult. Through improvised music-making an immediate and personal relationship begins to form. There are no 'right' or 'wrong' notes in music therapy. Instead, the person is encouraged to use a variety of musical instruments to find their own personal 'voice' and to develop listening, communicating and relating. The therapist, a highly skilled and trained musician - accompanies and supports the person in their development. The therapist listens and responds to the person through the improvised music. Together the person and their therapist build a shared understanding through their music-making and this informs the aims and intentions for the therapy. The aims of music therapy are tailored to the needs of each individual, but might include:
o Music therapy provides a means of communication and self expression, when words are either not an option or are inadequate. o Music therapy may lead to increased interaction and concentration for individuals with communication difficulties. o Music therapy can raise self-esteem, confidence and dignity, because there can be a real sense of achievement in making music. o It gives control and choice for people who have very little or no control over other aspects of their lives. o Music therapy can help to lower anxiety levels and encourage improvement in co-ordination skills, because music can be a great motivator. o Music therapy adds a spiritual dimension and can help to give people's lives meaning and purpose. o Music therapy can provide psychological and emotional support for individuals experiencing difficult life situations (e.g. bereavement, family breakdown, depression). o It can simply bring fun and enjoyment to people who may not be able to participate in other activities. o Music therapy may help to contribute toward the health and well-being of the 'community' and individuals within.

Great team day at in Stowmarket. Special thanks to the amazing Tis Respect from for running a brilliant rap and hip ...
06/01/2026

Great team day at in Stowmarket. Special thanks to the amazing Tis Respect from for running a brilliant rap and hip hop workshop for our team. Totally recommend this for anyone who wants to know more about hip hop and how to get started!

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by it all, just stop for a moment. Here’s a beautiful rendition of ‘Experience’ b...
23/12/2025

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by it all, just stop for a moment. Here’s a beautiful rendition of ‘Experience’ by Einaudi played by Grace on the piano.

Grace plays the piano

22/12/2025

Here’s a sweet little vid made by Imogen to help us celebrate Christmas. Every year Imogen records a little vid which she signs and sings for us. Enjoy! Thank you Imogen for making this!

Very proud and privileged to work with Jess Grant Celebration Fundraising. Thank you for your tireless work to bring mus...
05/12/2025

Very proud and privileged to work with Jess Grant Celebration Fundraising. Thank you for your tireless work to bring music therapy to the children and families you support.

Yesterday morning I was invited on to the Children's Ward at Ipswich Hospital to see and hear about the enormous difference music therapist Oli Swann is making to children receiving treatment. It was a pleasure to meet Oli and thank you so much to Lead Health Play Specialist Siobhan Castle for the time she spent telling me about the positive stories of patients who have benefited from music sessions with Oli. It was inspiring to hear about a young oncology patient whose clinic days have been transformed by music therapy. To see first hand how excited he was to see Oli and how much he enjoyed singing and playing music with him, and then to see how calm he was prior to receiving chemo, was very moving. Another young oncology patient was looking out for Oli, patiently awaiting his session. I was told he now wants to grow up to be a drummer.
From making up songs for a young patient who loves numbers, to supporting teenagers with their mental health, it is incredible the impact music therapy is having on children at Ipswich Hospital. Jess would absolutely love this. We are so proud that Jess' charity and Ipswich Hospital Charity are able to cover the funding of this invaluable role.
A heartfelt thank you to all of Jess Grant Celebration's supporters. We couldn't do any of this without you ❤

Some of the team had a lovely evening making music and ‘jamming’ at the Oakes Barn Free House in Bury. The food was grea...
21/10/2025

Some of the team had a lovely evening making music and ‘jamming’ at the Oakes Barn Free House in Bury. The food was great too!

So proud to be working with this great charity supporting young people with palliative needs in Essex!
13/10/2025

So proud to be working with this great charity supporting young people with palliative needs in Essex!

12/10/2025
Wow! What a start to the new academic year! We started the new year at The Mix with a training day and our amazing team ...
09/10/2025

Wow! What a start to the new academic year! We started the new year at The Mix with a training day and our amazing team are now up and running, working across East Anglia. Our team of 17 music therapists are working in mainstream and special education, learning disabilities, neurorehabilitation, hospitals, hospices, carehomes, charities and private homes.

12/09/2025

Now that the Camp Jojo camps have ended for 2025, it's time to reflect on the incredible people that so generously gave up their time to help make Camp Jojo possible. One such group is Suffolk Music Therapy Services who came to camp every Friday night, all summer, to provide wonderful campfire music sessions for our families and volunteers. They helped families to bond with their volunteers and each other and provided the perfect sunset close to Day One at camp. We are so very grateful! Thank you!

A fabulous evening singing on week 2 of Camp Jojo! Singing, dancing, loads of music and lots of laughter!
26/07/2025

A fabulous evening singing on week 2 of Camp Jojo! Singing, dancing, loads of music and lots of laughter!

We can’t wait for Camp Jo Jo! Music therapy sessions around the camp fire!!
14/07/2025

We can’t wait for Camp Jo Jo! Music therapy sessions around the camp fire!!

It's time!! Camp One starts THIS WEEK! We are so excited to open Ivy Farm and Camp Jojo and welcome families of children with complex needs and disabilities to what we hope will be an unforgettable and magical weekend. Seven camps in total this summer so watch this space for lots of fun and tales from the campfire. Happy camping!

08/07/2025

Address

Ipswich

Telephone

07730136604

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