Q&A: Elizabeth Nightingale

What is your musical background?

I grew up with a passion for singing passed down from my mum, but I also began playing the piano and cello from a young age, eventually completing my Grade 8 exams in all three. Throughout school I was regularly part of one choir, orchestra, band or another, and loved performing in mini-tours, concerts and stage productions. After finishing my A-levels in 2005, I had a gap year before studying music at the University of Surrey. During that time I worked as a singer for a National Theatre production and also went on to do my First Diploma certificate at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

What prompted you to become a music therapist?

I volunteered at The Orpheus Centre in Godstone when I was 16. It's a residential centre set up by Richard Stilgoe in the mid-1990s which equips young disabled people with practical living skills to support greater independence and champions creativity and the arts. There were sessions in songwriting, multimedia, dance, and many more. While they did not have a music therapist working at the centre at the time, it was my first introduction to adaptive music technology and equipment like the Soundbeam, which gave non-verbal residents an alternative platform to express themselves creatively. I returned there as part of Surrey's music therapy module in 2008 and knew there was no other work I would rather be doing. Over the years I've met at least four music therapists who trace their initial inspiration to working at The Orpheus Centre.

How does music therapy help people?

Music therapy is able to support people in four keys areas: communication and social interaction; emotion and behaviour; cognition and learning; and physical skills. Recent advances in neuro-imaging have shown the unique capacity that music has within the brain. It is processed in so many different areas that if some parts are damaged from disease or injury, music can still reach and stimulate many other areas. This reinforces the strong evidence-base for using music to improve patient outcomes, assist with rehabilitation, and help people adapt during illness and injury. Sessions can involve a range of activities designed to support on either a psychological level, or for specific functional needs.

What is the iPod Pharmacy?

It's an enterprising initiative that involves people donating old iPods. These are reconditioned and loaded with music to support people in need. Our music therapists lend these out to patients receiving treatment in hospital, or to care-home residents who have little or no access to technology. We're delighted to partner with Yamaha Music UK for the scheme. They are donating a new pair of headphones for every iPod we receive, meaning we can offer all our clients a full audio package. In addition to iPods, people can also donate money.

How did it come about?

The scheme was first pioneered by the Canadian charitable foundation Music Heals. The project has already been hugely successful there so we are hoping it enjoys the same success here in the UK, where we are the exclusive partners of the project.

What sort of music are you using with patients and clients?

All sorts, as we always seek to use personalised music that is meaningful for the individual. We work with our clients to select songs, or liaise directly with family members and friends, who love to get involved. People feel so passionate about music, it's important we take the time to tailor playlists – a soundtrack of their life.

How does it feel to have celebrities supporting the campaign?

It's amazing to receive endorsement from artists like Jamie Cullum, Jools Holland, and Tokio Myers. We're delighted to have them on board as their support helps raise awareness of the scheme to a much wider audience and the more people who can get involved, the more people we can reach.

Is there anything you would like to see in regard to the public's perception of music therapy?

Something we often reassure people of is the specialist training required to practise as a music therapist. This requires a two-year master's degree and, as with speech and language therapy and physiotherapy, music therapy is recognised as an Allied Health Profession with therapists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Emphasising that music can support on both a psychological and functional level is useful too, and that as therapists we always seek to support our clients with a non-musical aim. Music is just the tool we use to help them get there.