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Music Therapy strikes a chord with traumatised emergency workers

The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra (BLSO) has successfully completed a pilot project delivering group Music Therapy to emergency service workers, to help them recover from traumatic experiences. W orking with Police, Fire and Ambulance Services in Surrey and Sussex, the project delivered a bespoke music therapy program for emergency workers. It drew inspiration from the USA, where music therapy is widely used to treat PTSD and trauma in army veterans. “I would love to hear from any other emergency services organisations in England or Wales, that would like to host a Music Therapy project. We are actively seeking funding opportunities and know that music therapy can help support the mental wellbeing of emergency service workers, so please do get in touch.”

For more information about hosting a music therapy project, contact: Seb Valentine on 0777 337 2575 or via email Seb@bluelightsymphony.org The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra is a registered charity, whose aims are to promote and support music-making in the emergency services, to aid general well-being, and to make music therapy available to treat serious mental health problems such as PTSD, chronic stress and anxiety. The Charity is the UK’s only orchestra for Emergency

The BLSO was awarded £10,000 funding from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund (distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund), recognising that Emergency Workers were exposed to increased levels of trauma while responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 12 weeks, using a combination of music therapy and behaviour techniques, emergency personnel were able to learn coping strategies. The group incorporated free improvisation, the learning of simple drumming techniques, blended with health and wellness education, and interactive improvised music-making. Throughout the programme, the sense of camaraderie increased, alongside the enjoyment and playfulness that developed. Seb Valentine, founder of the BLSO and a serving Officer with Surrey Police said: “We are extremely happy with the success of this project, bringing music therapy to emergency workers who develop mental health issues relating to the trauma they experience daily.” “Positive feedback from participants has meant we are planning to run another project in the Surrey and Sussex area. I hope that when my colleagues see how successful this pilot was, it will reduce scepticism, and encourage more to take advantage and benefit from the healing power of music.”

Services personnel. Players are drawn from the UK’s Police, Fire and Ambulance services, as well as the military, mountain rescue, cave rescue and the RNLI. The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra works with leading music therapy providers to make music therapy available

to emergency services personnel to treat PTSD, anxiety, and stress. Best Foot Forward: IPA Walking Group Update Chris Charlton , Secretary, Scarborough Branch The Section UK Walking Group is still a Region 3 group, rather than a Section UK SIG. So, they used the Region 3 AGM to make two big announcements.

Seb Valentine

T hey presented a cheque to a representative from the Thin Blue Line Charity as a donation, following the Virtual Walking Challenge that took place in June 2021. The Walking Group also announced their principal event for 2022. The event is to be a walking weekend, with associated social events based in Scarborough.

There will be opportunities to complete 2 x 10km walking trails; one in and around Scarborough, and the other in and around Whitby. The event is planned for 23rd to 25th September 2022. At the moment, we are seeking expressions of interest in order to gauge numbers. For more details, or to register your interest; please contact Chris on ipawalking@yahoo.com

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POLICE WORLD Vol 67 No.2, 2022