Case Study: Music and Frailty Music in Hospitals

Introduction

Music and Frailty was a creative health partnership between Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Arts Service, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Staylittle Music and Musaic Minds, delivered between 3 February and 1 May 2026. The project brought professional local musicians into five community hospitals, delivering live performances in reception areas and on wards for people living with frailty and dementia, alongside their families, visitors and NHS staff. Through a varied programme of live music, the project aimed to create moments of connection, comfort and reminiscence, enriching the hospital environment and providing meaningful shared experiences for everyone involved.

The Challenge

In mid-2024 RCT Arts & Cultural Services were approached by CTM to help enable a short dementia-focussed music project to take place at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon (YCC) in Mountain Ash. This initial pilot was jointly funded by CTM and RCT and saw live musicians playing in the foyer, wards and bays of YCC across February and March of 2025. RCT was responsible for recruiting, contracting and scheduling musicians. In line with our existing approach to engaging cultural freelancers we focussed on local artists, particularly those who grew up, or now live, in the Cynon Valley. This proximity was important as it was identified that for Dementia patients, or anyone admitted to hospital for a period, the process of being on the ward can lead to feelings of isolation from their community and loneliness – both of which have negative impacts on health outcomes/recovery rates. That connection back to a patient’s local area, often through shared cultural/geographic reference points, but sometimes just the accent of the performer was identified from that pilot as being a key part of any programme going forward. Moreover, the performances in the foyer of YCC identified positive impacts for staff wellbeing, as individuals on their breaks would often congregate in these public areas or be drawn in by the music. This included patients and staff sharing the space to enjoy the music and both parties reported a lift in their mood and the belief that a longer programme of sessions in YCC, and an expanded programme across CTM would be of benefit. This activity was designed to meet those two needs, to extend and expand, via a programme of weekly workshops whose regularity during the activity period could be depended on. Based on feedback from leaders in CTM it was also identified that a specific staff provision in the form of a Nurses Choir would be beneficial and this activity included that as a planned part of delivery.

The Approach

Between 3 February and 1 May 2026, the Music and Frailty programme delivered 53 live music sessions across Ysbyty Cwm Cynon, Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda, Dewi Sant Hospital, Keir Hardie University Health Park and Glanrhyd Hospital. Thirty-three professional musicians, coordinated through Staylittle Music, performed a diverse repertoire using voice, harp, guitar, piano, violin, saxophone and clarinet as both solo artists and duos. Before delivery, artists were invited to attend specialist training led by Erin from Musaic Minds, helping them build confidence in working within healthcare settings and alongside people living with dementia. The sessions explored communication, adapting performances to different clinical environments and preparing artists for the emotional realities of hospital settings. Each hospital visit included a 45-minute performance in a communal space, followed by a 45-minute ward-based session, ensuring patients who were unable to access public areas could also experience live music. Artists adapted performances to suit each environment, encouraging reminiscence, shared musical experiences and meaningful interaction between patients, families, visitors and staff. Evaluation included questionnaires alongside conversations and observations gathered throughout the programme.

The Impact

Evaluation demonstrated that live music created meaningful moments of connection throughout the hospital environment. While many patients were living with advanced frailty or dementia and could not always communicate verbally, staff, families and artists consistently observed subtle but significant responses. Patients who had appeared withdrawn often opened their eyes, turned towards performers, tapped their fingers, nodded along or quietly sang familiar songs. Others appeared calmer, with familiar music helping to reduce agitation and encouraging engagement in the present moment. One family member described how her brother, who lives with dementia and additional learning needs, became completely absorbed in a performance. Although usually very unresponsive, she recognised that he turned towards the musician, stopped trembling and focused entirely on the music. She explained that she knew he was “in his element” because the performance reflected the kind of music he had always loved. The benefits extended beyond patients. Families described the performances as bringing comfort during challenging times and creating shared moments of connection with loved ones. Staff valued the opportunity to pause, enjoy live music with patients and experience brief moments of calm within busy clinical environments. One receptionist described looking forward to discovering which musician would be performing each week, while several wards requested return visits from particular performers. Artists also reflected on the personal impact of the programme, describing hospital performances as an opportunity to connect closely with patients and families and to witness first-hand how live music could create a brief but meaningful moment away from the challenges people were facing. Rather than measuring clinical outcomes, the project demonstrated how creative health interventions can encourage engagement, stimulate reminiscence, provide emotional comfort and strengthen social connection across the hospital community.

Lessons Learned

The project highlighted the importance of preparing artists for the unique realities of working in healthcare settings. While specialist training was offered before delivery, future programmes will make this mandatory to ensure all musicians feel confident and supported in responding to sensitive and emotionally challenging situations, including end-of-life care. During the project, one musician experienced a patient passing away while they were performing. While hospital staff responded appropriately to support the patient and their family, the experience reinforced the need for comprehensive preparation, clear support procedures and opportunities for artists to debrief following difficult situations. Feedback also identified opportunities to strengthen communication across hospital sites. Some staff were unaware of when performances were taking place, so future programmes will explore improved promotion through posters, digital screens, ward communications and clear signage to maximise awareness and participation. Evaluation also highlighted the value of ward-based performances in reaching patients who were unable to access communal spaces. While performances in reception areas created a welcoming atmosphere for visitors, families and staff, artists felt that ward-based sessions often had the greatest impact by bringing live music directly to those who would otherwise be unable to experience it. Finally, the project demonstrated that future staff engagement activities should be designed around the realities of busy clinical environments. Although a nurses’ choir was originally planned, clinical demands meant it was not feasible to release staff for regular rehearsals. Future projects will explore more flexible approaches, such as short pop-up singing sessions or one-off performances that fit more easily around shift patterns. These reflections will help strengthen future delivery, ensuring both participants and artists continue to benefit from high-quality creative health experiences within hospital settings while building on the positive partnerships established through the Music and Frailty programme.

The Legacy

Music and Frailty established unequivocally the need for live creative interventions in hospitals across the shared RCT/CTM area and the ability of local artists to deliver. It reaffirmed the existing relationship between CTM and RCT and provided a clear partnership and delivery framework around which future activity can take place, including the establishment of a bespoke training programme. The success of this activity paves the way for an expanded programme that meets the requests for a continued regular live music performance whilst expanding to other healthcare settings.

Website and Social Media Links

https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Newsroom/PressReleases/2026/June/TheMagicofMusic.aspx

Contact Details

Gemma Dobbs – Arts & Community Engagement Officer, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (gemma.dobbs@rctcbc.gov.uk)

Tags: Creative Health, Live Music, Dementia, Frailty, Older People, Hospitals, Community Arts, NHS, Music, Social Connection, Reminiscence, Emotional Wellbeing, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cwm Taf Morgannwg

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