Intergenerational Music Making is the first UK based Music Therapy non-for profit organisation bringing together the young and old to reduce isolation, tackle loneliness, improve the lives of those living with dementia whilst improving mental health and well being for the older and younger generations. Our projects bring together targeted groups across all communities to come together in creating unique music therapy projects.

Together with Music, a partnership between IMM and Care England, is a national, virtual programme that aims to connect schools, community groups and creatives to their local care home through music. These connections aim to tackle loneliness and isolation, supporting those living with dementia and creating stronger, healthier, intergenerational communities across the UK.

The simple act of sharing a song brings people together.

Studies show that bringing together young children and older people has many benefits for both groups. Sharing activities together gives older people a sense of purpose and enjoyment, whilst for children who may not regularly see their grandparents or great-grandparents, it is a chance to broaden their experience. Both groups can learn or rediscover skills, both social and musical and enjoy getting to know one another. This type of interaction has been proven to decrease older people's loneliness, delay mental decline, lower blood pressure and even reduce the risk of disease or death.

The figures of loneliness in the elderly are astonishing with 3.6 million older people living alone in the UK and 1.9 million account feelings of being “ignored or invisible” (Age UK: Loneliness). It is thought that most people will experience loneliness in their lives but according to Age Uk’s support team feelings of loneliness can be as detrimental to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

We believe at IMM that everyone should have the chance to live life to the full and our intergenerational music programmes give the children and older people the opportunity to do so by gaining an increased sense of belonging and feelings of well being. We have over thirty years experience of teaming up schools and colleges with groups of local people to work creatively together to build positive relationships and core skills. In partnership with a variety of organisations we have delivered several projects and intergenerational training schemes across the UK.

We have created a platform that will inspire, support and empower care homes, schools and community groups to play an active role within their neighbourhood. Through music and the act of music making, sustainable and creative connections can be made which will, in turn, build stronger, healthier and more integrated communities for years to come.

We believe that music is a language that all can understand, it is a conduit for forming many relationships.

We are raising funds to help us continue to bridge the gap between generations and sectors, all of which will assist in the recovery and rehabilitation of our communities.

The team at Intergenerational Music Making & Together with Music

www.imm-music.com

https://www.togetherwithmusic.org.uk/

"my world lights up when the children come in each week. I feel like I want to get up and go and sing with them. I never want it to end...." Bernard aged 83

"I love listening to the residents stories, hearing about what they use to do when they were young and talking about things now. I don't have any grandparents so it's lovely coming here to meet and chat with the old as otherwise I don't know when I'd get this special time." Pippa aged 13