This year’s Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival sees the launch of the Music Lifeline, a Sussex-wide Community Interest Company with strong Rye roots.
Three of the county’s leading music therapy and wellbeing organisations have merged to create a single, unified Community Interest Company, Music Lifeline. By combining their expertise and community reach, The Music Well CIC, Belltree Music Therapy and Music Lifeline are offering a comprehensive range of music therapy and community music services to adults and children across the entire county and neighbouring areas. The merger aims to bridge gaps in provision and ensure that the therapeutic and life-changing benefits of music are accessible to everyone in Sussex, regardless of their age, background or health status.
The Music Well CIC, based in Rye, was established in 2010 by music therapist Liz Butt and acted as a pioneer in social prescription, pooling the wealth of creative talent in the locality to bring the benefits of music for wellbeing to both individuals and the community as a whole. It has provided a rich mix of musical opportunities ranging from singing groups to fun bands and drum circles, as well as providing music therapy for individuals and bringing musical workshops into care homes, schools and day centres.
Notable recent achievements for the organisation have included the establishment of a community choir for St Michael’s Hospice in Hastings and the establishment of groups including Singing For Wellbeing and singing clubs for local children and adults.
Those who have supported the Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival over the years will be familiar with The Music Well as one of the directors is given the stage in order to speak about the work of the organisation before every concert at St Mary’s church. Over £3,500 is raised each August Bank Holiday thanks to the audience’s generosity and all the money goes to providing music therapists or music leaders to work with people who will benefit from this input. Music Lifeline is indebted to the management team of the festival and their commitment to providing a platform for a local “good cause”.
The new name Music Lifeline was chosen as it encapsulates what the CIC wants to achieve. It endeavours to give people who will benefit the lifeline they need to reconnect with their community, their loved ones, their school or work environment or whatever it is they need, provided through music.
Music Lifeline was originally a standalone CIC registered by Rye resident John Hart, who died earlier this year, and was set up to ensure that every child had the chance to engage in a musical activity. The directors of the new CIC will take this mission forward.
Chair Lindsay McHale commented “We are incredibly excited to be joining forces as Music Lifeline CIC, combining our extensive skills and specialisations to offer music therapy services and musical activities for children and adults across the region, at a time when the demand for our offering is unprecedented. We are honoured to take on the mantle of Music Lifeline and to carry forward John Hart’s legacy. In these challenging times, music is more than just a hobby – it is a vital tool for connection and recovery. We relish the opportunity to enable Music Lifeline to serve as a true beacon of wellbeing and creativity across Sussex.“
Music Lifeline wishes the festival every success and would like to thank the generosity of the audiences in advance as the money raised allows them to carry out their valuable work.
Image Credits: Music Lifeline .