North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre's £100k appeal to safeguard and expand service for children, adults and older people
Every week across North Yorkshire, children with special educational needs and adults with learning disabilities, mental health challenges, and dementia all rely on the life-changing power of music therapy.
For many, words are not enough: music becomes their voice, says North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre (NYMTC).
Now the charity is calling on the community, businesses and philanthropists to help secure vital services for children, adults and older people who rely on music.
It has launched a £100,000 appeal to safeguard and expand its specialist music therapy services through 2026 and 2027.
Last year, the charity delivered over 850 music therapy sessions, supporting more than 250 people in special schools, care homes, supported living settings and community hubs, as well as at its centre in Hovingham.
It says that demand for services is rising sharply, particularly in rural areas where access to specialist support is limited and statutory services are under pressure.
Laura Festa, Director of Music Therapy, says: “Our community mental health work is completely free for people who would otherwise go without. For schools and care homes, we match fund therapist fees to make the service accessible even to those with stretched budgets. We receive no NHS funding and rely almost entirely on donations and grants. Without your help, we could not continue to be there for our community.”
One of the children supported by NYMTC is Lucas, a seven-year-old born blind with additional learning needs. When he first began music therapy, he was withdrawn and struggled to communicate. Through weekly sessions, he began responding to rhythm and melody — and then started singing words, progressing to phrases and initiating interactions with staff and classmates.
In community and care home settings, music therapy helps unlock memory, identity and emotional connection, reducing distress and improving quality of life.
NYMTC says that funds raised will be used to maintain and strengthen its core team of specialist music therapists; expand sessions in special schools, care homes and community hubs; provide subsidised therapy through the charity’s Music, My Voice fund, ensuring organisations and families are not turned away due to cost; and secure stability for the charity at a time of “unprecedented need”.
Trustee Sue Hoggett says: “I cannot speak highly enough of the work that our dedicated music therapists do. It is impossible not to be moved by videos of clients ‘coming alive’ during their therapy sessions; they are testament to the enormous power of music therapy. Please consider supporting the appeal and help the Charity to continue providing life-changing music therapy in our community.”
To donate, visit: www.music-therapy.org.uk or make cheques payable to North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre, The Byre, Wath Court, Hovingham, YO62 4NN.