'Voices groups' are appreciated by young people with auditory hallucinations, as sources of therapy, information, and support. These results suggest a number of testable hypotheses about the efficacy of group treatment and its future development.

Background There is an increasing focus on providing effective psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life in dementia care. This study aims to explore the attitudes and perceptions of staff who participated regularly in Music Therapy (MT) and Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) groups for residents with dementia in a nursing home. Method In-depth interviews were conducted with seven members of care home staff. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results A representation modelling the impact of MT and DMT in a nursing care home. Three main themes were identified. 1) Discovering residents' skills and feelings; 2) Learning from the therapists to change approaches to care practice with subthemes: time, space and pace, choice, following the residents' lead; 3) Connection between staff and residents. Conclusion The model indicated that both interventions performed in parallel helped staff to discover residents' skills and feelings. Although it is a small sample size, this study strongly suggests that MT and DMT can have a positive influence in helping care staff to provide a meaningful care environment.

Mindsong brings music therapy to people with dementia across Gloucestershire. In 2016, it was part of an innovative co-production project funded by NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group that offered music therapy to people with advanced dementia and ‘challenging’ behaviour. Music therapy was used at times of crisis with couples in the domiciliary setting and the hardest to reach residents at a dementia specialist care home. Positive outcomes included improvements in well-being, mood, engagement and behaviours. Working with client and carer together resulted in increased carer resilience despite complex challenges. Collaborative working maximised results to the benefit of clients and those who care for them. This article focuses on work in the domiciliary setting.

This article presents an approach to evaluating a music therapy pilot project carried out on a dementia assessment ward, and introduces the framework for evaluation developed by the music therapist. This framework aims to describe and categorise patients' involvement in sessions, which may help to define clear outcomes for patients. It also highlights the relevance of music therapy treatment to the goals of the multi-disciplinary team on the ward, and to current thinking and policy about dementia care, as described in the National Dementia Strategy (DoH 2009). The project was a collaboration between the local NHS trust (Older Adults Therapies Team), Soundwell Music Therapy Trust and the hospital League of Friends. Soundwell is a specialist mental health music therapy charity, founded in 2002 to provide music therapy and music support groups for mental health service users and unpaid carers in Wiltshire and Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES). A further, extended pilot project is being planned, subject to funding. It is hoped that this will offer the opportunity to trial the evaluation approach more extensively.

No abstract