Mental health and wellbeing column: music's myriad benefits

‘Music makes me feel good’ – Chloe, aged 7, Portsmouth. Like Chloe, most of us would undoubtedly agree that music can evoke various positive emotions such as joy, comfort or excitement. Regardless of age, instrument or skill level, engaging in music-making or listening brings a panoply of benefits.

Music is an inclusive medium that can break down barriers and engage people from diverse backgrounds. As inclusion manager at Portsmouth Music Hub, I have been fortunate to see the positive impact of music on countless numbers of children and young people from across the city. Recently, in a Portsmouth school, a child with limited English found his voice through music. Teaching staff were stunned at the child's reaction to the music as he blossomed, beaming with happiness as he bopped along and played percussion. Previously unresponsive in any other lessons, until this point, music erased any anxiety and fostered true engagement. Transcending linguistic and cultural differences, he had found his voice through the universal language of music; he was empowered to connect, express and thrive.