Music therapy charity's free sessions at risk

A music therapy charity operating for 30 years may be forced to stop offering free sessions in the community.

MusicSpace in Bristol supports children and adults with disabilities, mental health and wellbeing needs and more.

Economic challenges have already forced it to close its centre in Southville but an appeal has been launched to raise £50,000 so it can continue providing its free services.

"We offer a subsidised therapy service that is crucial to paving the way to more grant investments and if we don't raise the money to fund that then we're restricted in what we can do," Sarah Newell, clinical lead and deputy director at MusicSpace said.

The charity offers people on a low income or with a formal diagnosis 10 free therapy sessions, with positive results potentially leading to grants and funding from schools, other charities and health services for longer-term therapy.

"The funds from this appeal will go towards meeting the shortfall in the funding of these sessions," said Ms Newell.

"We won't have to stop all of our services as we have a number of programmes that are already externally funded but if we don't get this money we won't be able to change our services so this can be delivered."

MusicSpace wants to use the donations to adapt its operating model to a community hub system, partnering with GP surgeries, community centres and other locations to bring its services closer to those who use them.

It currently runs hubs in Southmead and Horfield and has plans to open three more in Lawrence Hill, Lawrence Weston and Knowle in the new year.

Abi's oldest son Osh has ADHD and autism and has been having weekly therapy through MusicSpace for a year.

"Osh really struggles with certain environments and he's been out of school for six months and can only access three hours per week," said Abi.

"It's great as a mum to know that I can take him to MusicSpace and he can be himself, express himself and talk about difficult emotions that he's not really understood that day but do it in a way that's fun and allows him to communicate in his way."

"It's like magic because it makes me talk, talk, talk and I love it," said Osh.