Our Music Exploration Officer Emily Emily Redmond works with the following groups within Wexford Mental Health Services:
- Havenview, Millview, TUS Nua, An Tearnann, KTAC (all Enniscorthy) and Croi an Tobar, Oylegate
- Community Hostels in Wexford and Enniscorthy
- CAMHS, Wexford Town
- Community Groups in New Ross, Wexford, Enniscorthy and Gorey
When COVID-19 restrictions came into place, we knew instantly that it was important to find a way to continue the Music Exploration Programme in the new world we found ourselves in. The Music Programme at Wexford Mental Health Association is delivered in conjunction with The Arts Ability Programme at Wexford County Council. The Arts Ability team of artists diversified designing participative and receptive activities for the programme that could still reach out to clients and staff. Over the last number of weeks Emily has worked closely with HSE staff especially the Occupational Therapists, discussing and exploring ways of delivering the music programme in new ways; videos/resource packs/Zoom calls etc. The WMHA Music Programme is delighted to be part of a longstanding, active and diverse Arts Ability Programme with Arts Officer Liz Burns.
We have undertaken new training modules and are in regular meetings planning a new art exhibition/performance in Castle St, Enniscorthy after Covid 19.
Emily began designing resource packs for the community groups and residential units within The Mental Health Services around County Wexford. She has created a series of guitar, ukulele, song, music theory, lyric analysis and song writing booklets. They were designed and produced with the hope to encourage creativity, self-expression and somewhat ease the boredom at this difficult time. She also put together a care box for Havenview Residential Unit and Millview Residential Units, both in Enniscorthy. In these packs she included personalised cards with images of Wexford by Padraig Grant, laminated lyric sheets of songs that they used in the music group over the last 4 years, easy sheet music that staff could do with residents using the instrument banks set up a few years ago, some CDs of their favourite repertoire and of course some chocolate!!
Dr Denise Rogers and OT Sarah Lynch began planning a new Music and Movement Programme at Havenview, Croi an Tobar and 58 Westlands in 2019 with Deirdre Grant, Jimi Cullen and Emily. After weeks of planning with staff, we carried out our first outdoor music and movement session at Havenview on Friday 8th May which was hugely successful and we will be continuing with weekly sessions over the summer months.
With the help of the Occupational Therapist Team in each centre, Emily sends in weekly material which they distribute to service users through email and post. She is in the process of making some youtube videos which can be shared with music group participants and we are hopeful that we can start some Zoom group classes over the summer with small groups.
Some of the material that Emily has been giving to the service users are as follows: