I would like to take the opportunity to offer a letter of recommendation regarding the Music Therapy sessions provided by Eleanor Meynell.

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Eleanor has been providing a weekly session on Monday mornings here at Brook House for almost 18 months. These sessions have become a highlight in our weekly programme and is the favourite weekly event of quite a few residents. Residents who otherwise, do not show any interest in other activities, are visibly stimulated by the music. Eleanor has

carefully curated playlists which evoke memories, encourage participation through their beat with the use of percussion instruments and others which have easy to remember lyrics or actions to encourage residents to sing along or extend their arms to "dance" with staff.

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Those who are able to stand, regularly dance with staff. The room is always busy with as

many as 20 residents participating at any given time.

It is heartwarming to watch the smiles appear on faces of residents, and their hands and

legs move to the music whenever Eleanor sings and plays music here.

The sessions are not just beneficial to residents and families, but also to staff. Activities staff have been able to see for themselves in a very demonstrative way, which songs each

resident responds to best. This is a much more reliable way to gather this helpful

information rather than relying on the question being answered by the resident or their

family. This helps them to build playlists for other group activities involving music

(especially themed days) as well as identifying the songs to use in meaningful one-to-one

sessions - music to help them relax, music to get them moving, music to get them talking

and reminiscing. This has helped to make other activities more person-centred and

meaningful and has helped carers to know the appropriate songs to use with each individual to help calm or distract them in times of stress or unusual behaviour.

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As we all work together to help support the physical and emotional wellbeing of residents, it is clear that these sessions help lift their mood which ultimately has a positive impact on the reputation and successful running of the home.

As well as being a meaningful activity which is pleasing in a sensory way, these sessions

also provide musical entertainment which would potentially be more costly if booked simply as a musical performance elsewhere Eleanor's sessions are considerably more interactive, person-centred, provide insight into residents' likes, dislikes and life histories (some will often talk about who or what a song reminds them of) and provides staff with an opportunity to build relationships with residents in a context outside of personal care.

 

We have been able to gather substantial video and photographic evidence of residents heavily engaging with and enjoying these sessions where they may otherwise have been socially isolated. We use this regularly to promote the home on our Facebook page and to provide reassurance to families that their loved ones are being encouraged and supported to participate in these sessions, As such, these sessions serve concurrently as entertainment, therapy, sensory stimulation, reminiscence, gentle chair movement or dancing and as a marketing tool, and therefore represent great value for money. 

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Eleanor is skilled at making sessions bespoke to each care home and I would highly to

recommend her services to any kind of care home as she will always ensure that whatever is delivered is relevant, meaningful and impactful, whatever the venue.

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Yours sincerely

Jacqueline Perdrix

Care home Manager

Eleanor has been coming to us at Westcombe Park with her music sessions for over two years now, it is by far our most popular activity, Eleanor takes the time to get to know each resident personally, chatting to them as the session goes on introducing specially requested pieces of music just from a simple comment, even our most challenging

residents respond to Eleanor and her music. Although the other members of staff are always busy the sound of residents enjoying themselves draws them into the room and they will stay and join in. We have also had show rounds come in and join in

the session such is the lively music and laughter that comes  out of the room.

Eleanor and her Music Services are now a well- established part of life at Westcombe Park that we wouldn't be without.

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Abimbola Kehinde, Care Home Manger

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We have witnessed first-hand the incredible impact that Eleanor's music, personality, and

genuine care have had on our loved ones. Her wealth of knowledge in care and her ability to connect with people living with dementia has made a significant difference in their daily lives and overall well-being. She is truly amazing!

Our sponsor, Susan, has a personal connection to this program. Her late mother was a

resident in a nursing home and initially showed little interest in engaging with any activities or socializing with others, aside from visits from her family. Over time, she became increasingly isolated and unhappy in her nursing home. However, when Eleanor arrived to perform her magical music with the residents, Susan's mother found joy and began looking forward to this highlight of her week. Even when she became unwell and was nearing the end of her life,

Eleanor continued to provide one-on-one sessions with her, allowing her to enjoy what she loved most from the comfort of her own bed. This heart-warming story deeply touched me, as I personally know Eleanor and have witnessed her dedication to making a difference through her music.

Susan is determined to continue making an impact on elderly people in care homes and

improving their quality of life. I had a meeting with her and Eleanor yesterday, and Susan's story truly touched me. She is a kind-hearted woman who loves making a difference. Thanks to Susan's sponsorship, we can now enjoy another three months of "Music for Health" with Eleanor, who genuinely cares about the well-being of our residents at Weybourne.

 

On behalf of everyone at Weybourne, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Eleanor for her dedication and to Susan for her incredible support.

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Kind regards,

Lejla Mustafic, Care Home manager

I would like to express what Eleanor did and how she supported the whole team at

Morden College. She made such an impact on not only the residents of Morden College

but also the staff. When I was working as the community Centre Manager at Morden

College, this included supporting the entertainment and activities.

Eleanor came into the college and showed me what she could do to support the

residents and those in the care home with dementia. I loved the idea so we both set to

work by starting the activity weekly.

Eleanor firstly went to the residents who were unable to get out of bed due to not weight

bearing. Eleanor would find out their lives and their favourite songs which brought back

memories of their lives.

From then on, during her weekly visits, Eleanor would encourage them to sing with her,

and the words of the songs would come flooding back. In the lounge, the carers would

gather the other residents who could get together and find out what songs they would

like to sing. 17 residents would gather every week and love to sing with Eleanor they

would get up and dance to the songs and this involved the carers also dancing with

them which brought them all together and uplifted their spirits.

We then started a project called THIS IS ME. We investigated the past of each resident

and looked at their lives. They then found the music that would be familiar to them. This

had a massive impact on all the staff as well as the residents because they realised that

they found out more about the resident's individuality and their life stories and this

made them feel part of their lives too. I noticed the staff would start to bring

memorabilia to the sessions and interact with the residents on and more one-to-one

basis which enhanced their well-being and made them feel that someone cared about

them.

This was a fantastic service which Eleanor loved to do, and she made everyone around

her feel important from the residents to the staff. The staff also have a massive part to

play in this and with Eleanor's support, encouraged them to get to know every single

resident individually and encouraged them to take a person-centred approach.

I feel this could be used as a training tool for new starters in care to get to know the

person on a one-to-one and how singing can change their lives.

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Sharon Hutton

Manager of Ann Stroud Court, Sheltered Housing, Crossroads Care, Trustee and former Community Centre Manager at Morden College