Between May and July 2022, Music Therapist Laura Cook ran a group for people with Parkinson’s disease in Bath, kindly funded by Sing To Beat Parkinson’s. The group incorporated Laura’s expertise as a Sing To Beat Parkinson’s practitioner and featured specialised Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) techniques to support people in managing their Parkinson’s symptoms, while also promoting positive mood and social connections amongst participants

Laura previously led a similar group during her Music Therapy training placement at the Clara Cross Parkinson's Clinic in Bath. After completing her qualification and joining Chiltern, the group reconvened in the community and later transitioned to an online format during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Seven people with Parkinson’s attended the block of seven sessions, some attending alone and some with their partners who also took part in the activities. The participants were at varying stages of their Parkinson’s, with their responses to the PDQ-39 measure showing a range between stages 1 - 5 on the Hoehn and Yahr scale.

The group and the excellent music therapists make one feel at ease and welcomed. Overall, I feel that my co-ordination is better than before - group participant

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