Alice Grenville: Open Door Music lead an Open Mic Session on Maple Ward, Northern General Hospital
On Friday 25th January, five Open Door Music members together with staff from Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS services East Glade, CERT and Forest Close, took to Northern General Hospital with a wide range of musical instruments and gear and helped to facilitate an Open Mic Session on Maple Ward (one of the acute mental health wards). The afternoon was a huge success with ten attendees from Maple Ward (many of whom joined in) together with a number of staff. It lifted the spirits of everyone on the ward, with many asking when Open Door Music will be returning.
Clare, an individual who is a patient on Maple Ward and who stayed for the whole afternoon said “I thought it was brilliant and I was surprised how good the bands were. I was also surprised to learn that many of the musicians had issues with their own mental health and it helps me to be more optimistic about the future. Music is uplifting and it helps you to take your mind off those things that you’re worried about. It’s good for the soul and I would like to see more of it on the ward.”
George Eaton (Open Door Music member) said “It was great to see everyone taking part and helping make it such a success!”.
Open Door Music will be doing a similar event on the mental health wards at Michael Carlisle Centre in March.
Open Door Music (a Sheffield Flourish Enterprise) is a mental health friendly group where people get together to jam, socialise, build friendships and pursue musical ambitions. Open Door Music happens every Friday afternoon 13.00-17.00 in a studio space at Stag Works (84 John Street, Sheffield, S2 4QU). All instruments and equipment are provided and everyone is welcome to our sessions (the door is always open!).
– Alice Grenville, Student Occupational Therapist
