
Celebrating International Music Day 2025
Chris & Marianne’s Story A Journey of Hope and Healing
Find out more about OPUS Music, and the health and science behind music-making.
Chris & Marianne’s Story A Journey of Hope and Healing
OPUS Music CIC Wins Community Partner of the Year at Sherwood Forest Hospitals’ Celebrating Excellence Awards
At just 2 years and 8 months old, Florence has already shown more courage than many of us do in a lifetime. Born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – a rare and serious condition affecting normal blood flow through the heart – Flo’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Her life has been filled with hospital stays, procedures, and challenges that no child should ever have to face. But through all of it, there has been a constant presence bringing light, joy, and calm: music, and the musicians of OPUS Music CIC.
When a child is admitted to hospital, it can be a time of deep stress and uncertainty, for the young patient, their family, and even the clinical staff around them. At OPUS Music CIC, we’ve long believed in the power of live music to support health and well-being, especially in the hospital environment. But belief alone is not enough, we also turn to science to back our work. Increasingly, medical research supports what we see every day: music can have measurable, beneficial effects on babies and young children in hospital, helping to reduce stress, ease pain, improve physiological stability, and support family bonding.
As part of our ongoing response to the climate emergency, we have taken inspiration from an exploratory session with climate activist and Healthcare Musician Dave McKenny.
Music has the power to heal, comfort, and uplift, even in the most challenging moments of life. For Chris and his mum, Marianne, music became a lifeline during a long and difficult journey through illness, and its impact continues to resonate in their lives today.
OPUS Music recently delivered an invigorating and deeply engaging music training session at Mansfield Community Hospital, as part of our ongoing partnership with Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
On 16th October 2024, we at OPUS Music CIC were thrilled to be part of Sherwood Forest Hospitals Foundation Trust’s Celebrating Excellence Day. It was a wonderful opportunity to share our work on building a “musical hospital,” bringing music into the heart of patient care. Our musicians performed live throughout the day, creating moments of connection and joy for staff and patients alike.
From 16-20 September, OPUS had the privilege of delivering a week-long training session in Guernsey, led by Nick. It was a packed, rewarding experience aimed at preparing local musicians to incorporate music into healthcare settings. Here’s a reflection on how the week unfolded.
OPUS Music CIC has partnered with Redford Care Centre to introduce music sessions aimed at enhancing the emotional and physical well-being of older adults. The collaboration began after a staff member at the centre completed Music Care training, sparking the idea to integrate music into their care routine.
Music has long been celebrated for its ability to evoke emotions, create connections, and inspire creativity. However, beyond its aesthetic appeal, music also offers numerous health benefits that are increasingly supported by scientific research.
With Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust, we are making strides towards a future where music is a vital part of healthcare, transforming the healing process one note at a time.
he 4 November 2022 marked a pivotal moment in OPUS Music CIC’s history.
Oaklie’s Story From Tiny Acorns, Mighty Oaks Grow Bringing a
On May 15th, we had the immense honour of attending the Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. It was a day filled with recognition, celebration, and a sense of pride for our work. As an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation
We have been working with our mentor Dave McKenny exploring the climate crisis and developing a creative response. We are working on how we can integrate this into our Music in Healthcare Practice.
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How does drumming support your health and wellbeing? We asked Rich to shed some light on the Bodhrán and what drumming means to him.
Thanks to the generous support from Arts Council England, OPUS has been able to extend its reach, creating three music for wellbeing groups in Bolsover, Ashfield, and Nottingham.
This Parent Mental Health Day, we feel it is important to highlight the transformative impact of music, on parents in hospital settings and in the community.
In the serene surroundings of Hillstown Village Hall in Bolsover, something truly special is happening every Friday afternoon. A community music group led by OPUS Music has emerged as a source of inspiration and support for individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s,
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