Demelza

Demelza supports children and young people with serious or life-limiting conditions, across Kent, East Sussex and south east London, and we have now supported them four times which has assisted in the growth of their neo-natal music therapy programme. 

£1,000 of funding enabled the purchase of special drums and chimes which were used to deliver 81 sessions of neo-natal music therapy to 70 individuals. Sessions support the emotional and physiological development of babies, as well as being a good outlet for parents, encouraging engagement with them to foster a strong parent-child bond. Demelza staff reported that music therapy decreases stress and crying in babies from discomfort and overstimulation, as well as improving heart and breathing rates which helps with the ability to feed. 

One mum of a very sick child said that she felt music therapy saved her child’s life; and many babies progressed enough to be discharged from the neo-natal intensive care unit.