Truly Instrumental: How A North East Music-Making Programme Is Benefitting Older People

Survey results published today show how a North East music-making programme for older people is having a positive impact on participants' mental health, physical health, self esteem and social lives. A music-making programme run by a celebrated North East music venue and charity is helping to improve the lives of many older local people. Since being set up by Sage Gateshead in January 2005, The Silver Programme has helped nearly 10,000 people aged between 50-90 in communities across North East England to sing, learn instruments, form bands and even play the steel pans. And results published today (5^th June) show how this work is doing more than just develop people’s musical talents. In response to a survey of 387 current participants:

• 70 per cent of those dealing with feelings of loneliness and isolation agreed the programme had helped them with these issues.
• 67 per cent of those dealing with depression or low self esteem agreed the programme had helped them with these issues.
• 94 per cent of all participants agreed the programme had stimulated them mentally.
• 78 per cent of all participants agreed the programme had provided an opportunity to establish purposeful routines.
• 77 per cent of participants agreed the programme had benefitted their physical health.
• 86 per cent of all participants agreed the programme helped them to make new friends and establish a new social circle.
• and 98 per cent agreed the programme had provided them with increased musical skills and new musical opportunities.

Norma White, currently takes part in Silver Programme classes and workshops in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.  She says: ‘I hadn’t played music since I was 19 and I started again when I was 64. I’d been unwell and hadn’t been able to work, and I just thought ‘I need to do something here’. It can be very easy to stay at home and alone as you grow older and that is no good for anyone. So I came along on my own to my first class, not knowing anybody.  I’m 70 now and have a whole bunch of new friends here. And a band! Being part of a community and playing this music is just wonderful. I absolutely love it. Julia Plastino works as Silver Programme Manager for Sage Gateshead. She says: ‘The experiences of the people who come to our programme chime with a growing body of research into the positive effects of music making.  As we grow older, it is clearer than ever how important learning and a fulfilled and social life can be. Here in the North East, our programme is providing personal development, a sense of empowerment, and has a real effect on people’s wellbeing. And most of all, it’s fun!’ Abigail Pogson is Managing Director at Sage Gateshead. She says: ‘Music’s capacity to improve quality of life, enabling people to develop new skills and meet new people, is well documented, particularly with young people. These results show that it is equally important to people in other phases of life. Our Silver Programme benefits people from across the region and we’re really proud of these results and the positive impact that this programme is having’.