Runwood Homes announces exciting new partnership with Intergenerational Music Making

Runwood Homes are further developing an exciting new partnership with IMM, this time with and its Move & Groove programme, rolling out to all wellbeing leads within the organisation.

Conferences and workshops have been held throughout the year with IMM, so that Wellbeing Leads at Runwood Homes understand how the power of music, combined with fun exercise, can build stronger, healthier and more integrated communities.

Runwood Homes Wellbeing and Dementia Services Director, Paul Gaskell, studied the effects of the programme during the pandemic, to understand new ways to connect and support the care team and residents through the power of music.

Since then, Runwood Homes has fully embraced the new partnership, with weekly sessions throughout the month that use music and movement to help the team connect with residents and encourage them to express themselves.

Paul Gaskell, Dementia and Wellbeing Director at Runwood Homes, commented on the positive impact this will have on the Wellbeing Leads development.

He said: “This bespoke training from our partners IMM has been commissioned to enable our Wellbeing Leads to plan and deliver regular sessions for residents. Their confidence and skills will grow as a result and will aid in their professional development. The programme will train our staff to be care sector leaders in wellbeing, providing them with the necessary tools to build stronger connections with residents through the power of music.”

Intergenerational music making is a national not-for-profit organisation that delivers innovative programmes, training and research to aid in the mental and physical wellbeing of older and younger communities across the UK. 

Charlotte and the team from the Together with Music programme are delivering training sessions to Runwood Wellbeing Leads with a focus on empowering staff through active music making as opposed to just listening to music. Staff have been creating their own unique songs and developing new understandings around how to use music within day-to-day care. 

Commenting on the partnership, Charlotte said: “Runwood Homes has fully embraced the platform and projects which aim to inspire, support and empower care homes, schools and community groups to play an active role within their neighbourhood. Through music and the act of music making, sustainable and creative connections are made, which in turn set will build stronger, integrated communities in the future.”

For more information, visit: www.togetherwithmusic.org.uk  and www.imm-music.com