Testimonial
Ged delivered a series of sessions at our care home, Phillips Court. I can vouch for his trustworthiness and approachability, great communication skills, imagination and very hard working ethos.
Julie Ati, Activities Coordinator, Phillips Court Care Home, Gateshead.
Elders Sessions
Participatory concerts, sing-alongs
I've been doing music sessions with elders for over 20 years now, since I started with Age Concern, Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 2004.
They are generally on the gentle side, and less of a performance than an interactive music session, with lots of sing-along, playing percussion together and always looking for ways to engage participants in a creative, fun way.
They call my sessions "Music Therapy with Ged”, at Trelana Nursing Home where I go twice a month [see Testimonial below].
I am not a qualified music therapist but there are a lot of similarities in what I do.
I am trained in Sound Healing, Village Drum Circle Facilitation, Yoga teaching [I do chair exercise sessions for Age Concern] and I have done a lot of counselling training.
I sing and play songs on acoustic guitar, some with percussion (which I bring and hand out), I play some songs on keyboard, others on xylophone, and I use a loop pedal with backing tracks for some livelier songs.
I generally vary the content of the session to keep it interesting for participants and to engage people in different ways. So, I also do some acapella songs [just vocals], some action songs (eg My Bonnie lies over the Ocean), and others are more of a percussion jam.
I play pretty much all the genres, from the 1930s up to the 1980s - lots of swing tunes [Sinatra, Nat King Cole], rock and roll [Elvis, Buddy Holly, the Beatles], folk, pop, country wartime & music hall classics etc.
click here to see some examples of me singing and playing.
My hope is to bring some fun, interaction, and connection into people's lives and to provide an opportunity for residents to be creative and feel good about themselves.
Testimonial
Thank you so much for the beautiful music you provided at our recent candlelit dinner for Patients and Carers here at North Devon Hospice. You approached the event so sensitively and really put the needs of our guests first. We have had lovely feedback from those who attended, saying how much they appreciated your playing and the selection of music you chose.
Charlie Bond, Clinical Team, North Devon Hospice
Ged’s history of working with elders
Ged has worked with elders since 2004 when he started delivering music and movement classes for Age UK.
Since then, Ged has worked regularly for Music in Hospitals and Care {mihc.org.uk] delivering “Live Music Events” in a variety of care settings. These are participatory concerts in which audience members are encouraged to join in with songs, by singing, playing percussion and sometimes dancing. We also invite requests and make time for audience members to share memories about the music.
In an independent capacity he delivers music sessions for Memory Cafes across the South West and participatory concerts in care homes.
He is the main facilitator for SIng Up Bude - a singing and music group for people living with dementia, stroke, ABI and their unpaid carers.
click here for a more detailed CV/Bio.
Testimonial
Ged's Music Therapy Sessions are always enjoyed by all. The sessions are interactive, funny and entertaining.
Over the time Ged has been visiting us he has continually reviewed his presentation to accommodate our residents needs.
We always look forward to his visits.
Heather, Activities Coordinator @ Trelana Care Home, Poughill, Cornwall