Caring with music

Can music do more in adult care settings?

Part of the Nordoff & Robbins' Summer School at Edinburgh Napier

Music has the power to connect us, even when words fail. There are many people who, because of the barriers of illness, disability or social isolation, have few opportunities to express themselves and engage with others. Music therapy helps to break through those barriers. It is an HCPC-regulated allied health profession, requiring a two-year Masters qualification to register as a music therapist.

This one-day short course will offer an introduction to interactive music-making in adult care settings, aiming to equip you with practical skills to bring music into your approach to care. Using techniques and tips from specially trained Nordoff Robbins music therapists – combined with your own expertise – you’ll explore how to effectively use music with the people you support.

You’ll explore your own relationship with music before learning how, and why, this can be used as an effective tool in care settings. You will learn how to tune into the people you support through music, and identify how you can bring music into the daily life of people you care for, such as creating songs and using musical instruments. You’ll also learn how to plan and facilitate music activity sessions as well as tips to improve the soundscape of your setting.

The course is suitable for anyone interested in developing practical skills in interactive music-making for use in the care of adults. This might include dementia care, care of the elderly, adult learning disability settings, adult mental health, neurorehab, care at home, and much more. You do not need to have experience as a musician to attend, just a willingness to try out the presented ideas.

The summer school will be run by experienced music therapists from the charity Nordoff & Robbins. Nordoff & Robbins is the UK’s largest music therapy charity, delivering music therapy services, education and research across the country. To find out more about Nordoff & Robbins, visit our website: https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/

How you'll be taught

Teaching will take place in the Music Department at Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston Campus. The course will take place over one day. The course will comprise a combination of presented information and practical skill development.

There will be no formal assessment, but a certificate of attendance will be provided for those who successfully completing the course.

Course dates

The course will take place on Thursday 24th July 2025 from 10am – 5pm, including breaks.

We are also offering a separate two-day Introduction to Music Therapy course on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd July. For more information, see…[INSERT LINK]

Cost

The full fee for the course is £80. A discounted student/unemployed rate of £50 is also available.

If you are also attending the Introduction to Music Therapy short course on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd July, a discounted rate is available to cover all three days: full price £210, student/unemployed £130.

Further information

If you have any questions about the course, please get in touch with the School of Arts and Creative Industries via saci@napier.ac.uk

Testimonial 

It has helped to bring clarity to things that were happening instinctively between people in my care setting, and in so doing helped us to catch those seeds of connection and help them grow… I feel much more confident in an ability to carry out group tasks and would be able to plan activities in a given setting.

Nordoff Robbins Terms and Conditions

  • No refunds will be given for cancellations made by you to an event or for non-attendance for any reason.  
  • Nordoff Robbins reserve the right, in their absolute discretion, to cancel your booking where they need to do so for any reason, or due to circumstances outside of their control.  
  • If Nordoff Robbins does have to cancel your booking, then they shall refund your booking payment (in full as soon as possible) or offer you an alternative Event if one is available. You have the choice of accepting the refund, a credit note or attending the alternative Event.  
  • Nordoff Robbins shall have no liability for losses or costs which you may incur due to such cancellation.  
  • Nordoff Robbins will refund any money received from you using the same method originally used by you to pay for your purchase, and reserve the right to refund using an alternative method.
  • Nordoff Robbins reserve the right to cancel your booking if you are more than 30 days in arrears with any payment due to us.