Why Music Matters: Everyday Joy, Deeper Connection, and a Huge Thank You
- The Good Company People
- Jun 26
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
At The Good Company People, we are grateful to have received another year of funding support from the National Academy of Social Prescribing’s (NASP's) Power of Music fund. Their £2000 backing means we can keep weaving music into the fabric of everything we do. And if you have been to one of our clubs, you will indeed know just how powerful that can be.
Elvis, Victoria Wood, and the Joy of a Good Tune
Just last week at our Wednesday Supper Club, Elvis certainly had not left the building. He was alive and well in the voices of members belting out Suspicious Minds. Our members are never shy about letting loose, and neither are our performers. Earlier this year, Lunch Club was brought to life by a side-splitting Victoria Wood tribute, ending with a showstopping rendition of Let’s Do It. Laughter echoed, toes tapped, and one member summed it up simply: “It was just absolutely incredible.”
But not every session is a big event. Our clubs regularly host live musicians, from drumming circles to Moving Sounds sessions. They bring rhythm, expression and connection to our community, especially for those who may no longer find it easy to express themselves with words alone.
And while music can stir emotion, spark memories or shift the mood in an instant, its power often lies in the way it makes things feel normal. Familiar songs in familiar places. The buzz of a group gathering. A sense of being part of something, even if just for an hour or two. As one member said, "You want everything to be normal." That is exactly what music can help restore.
Because music is never just a treat. It is a tool. A lifeline. A way in.
Music and the Brain: Why It Works
Even as dementia affects memory or speech, musical response often stays strong. As our Training Partner Sue Hinds shows in her workshops, the parts of the brain that process music are often preserved even when others begin to fade. That is why someone who struggles to speak may still hum along, smile at a favourite tune, or even find words they thought were lost.
From the very beginning of life, we are wired for sound. Babies respond to the rhythm of their mother’s voice before they are even born. That early sensitivity stays with us and helps explain why music reaches people in such a powerful way. It is one of the few things that lights up multiple areas of the brain at once, connecting emotion, memory and movement all at once.
Music can ease anxiety, support communication and reduce distress. It creates shared experiences and brings comfort, often without needing words. Grace Meadows, Music Therapist and advocate for social prescribing, says it best in her video series called Music Mondays:
“Music is more than just a nice thing to do. It can calm distress, support communication, lift mood and even reduce the need for medication. For many people, it brings comfort and a deep sense of belonging.”
It is also about togetherness. Whether it is a quiet moment listening to a playlist or a lively group singalong, music helps us tune in to one another. As one club member put it,
“It is the highlight of the month. Just so normal. And that is exactly what you want.”
In a world that can feel overwhelming or uncertain, music brings back the familiar. It reminds people who they are and helps them feel part of something shared.
Music in Action
Thanks to NASP’s support, we’ve been able to offer music in all sorts of forms across our clubs, from regular lunchtime sets to one-off drumming workshops and interactive performances. We make sure the musicians we work with are paid fairly, and we’re proud to support local talent who bring warmth, energy and connection to every session.
Having flexible funding means we can say yes more often. Yes to new faces. Yes to old favourites. Yes to the simple joy of something unexpected. Recently at Supper Club, we had a high-octane karaoke night where Pam and Dan both stood up to sing for the first time. Pam belted out her tune with such spirit that someone shouted, “You’re never too old to be a star!” We couldn’t agree more.
As Good Company grows, so does the cost of doing this well. Music is not a luxury for us, it’s part of the fabric. This funding helps us keep that rhythm going, but we know there’s more to do, more people to reach, and more voices waiting to be heard.
Want To Learn More?
We’re not the only ones championing music as a vital part of care and connection. These brilliant resources are a great place to start:
🎧 Podcast: The D Tour (Episode 10) Michael Timmons, CEO of Playlist for Life, on the science behind personalised music Listen here:
“When you hear a song that means something to you, it’s like a firework display going off in the brain. It can bring back language, reduce anxiety, and even reduce the need for medication.”
🎵 Video Series: Dementia Carers Count & Music Therapist Grace Meadows:
🎶 Playlist Resources from Playlist for Life Discover how to build a personalised playlist for yourself or someone close to you, using memory prompts, identity cues, and meaningful music from your youth. Explore playlists and tools
Looking Ahead
We are so proud that our clubs are not just social. They are filled with singing, movement, shared memories and creativity. Music is often the spark that brings everything together. Whether it is a drumming session that shakes off the cobwebs or a simple shared singalong, it reminds people of who they are and who they have always been.
A heartfelt thank you to the National Academy of Social Prescribing (NASP) for recognising this and helping us bring music into more lives.
We’re grateful for the funding we’ve received, but we know we can do more.
More music, more clubs, more chances to connect. If you’d like to help us bring joy, rhythm and real support to more people through Good Company, please consider making a donation.
Every gift helps us keep music at the heart of what we do.
