Frequently asked questions written by participants and music therapists of Soundwell
- Do I have to be able to play an instrument already?
No, you do not need to be able to play an instrument already. We welcome people with all levels of experience and instrumental/vocal skill- including those who think, or have been told, they are ‘unmusical’! There are many fascinating and high-quality instruments to explore. The focus is on exploring the sounds these instruments make and using this to express and release feelings and connect with others.
- How much are sessions?
Soundwell is a registered charity and our sessions are free. Donations are very welcome should you wish (we have donation tins at sessions, or you can donate through our website.) In some circumstances we ask for a contribution for 1-1 sessions.
- Are your venues accessible?
Yes, both our Bath and Bristol bases are fully accessible with wide opening doors, ramps and fully accessible bathrooms. The Bristol base has a hearing loop.
- What happens after I’ve made an initial enquiry?
Kim or Chloe will call you back and speak with you about what’s available and what you think would be most helpful for you as we have a range of options. They will answer any questions you have about music therapy and can let you know what to expect from group or 1-1 session. They will ask a bit about how you are now and the support you have around you, including anything helpful for us to know so we can best support you.
- What information will be asked of me?
We will ask for information on a referral/self-referral form, and for some safety information. When we speak with you on the phone, or if you come for an initial meeting, we might ask for more detail.
- Why do you ask for referral and safety information?
Having a fuller picture of how things are for you means we can support you more effectively. Knowing what you may have experienced, struggled with, and survived, including in your past, helps your therapists better understand your sensitivities and strengths. (*Please see below re. why we require info on criminal convictions/civil injunctions) We can then work with you, with more awareness; compassionately; to find a way forward.
What can I expect to happen after sending in a referral form?
If we haven’t already spoken with you, we’ll give you a call to talk through the options listed on our ‘services on offer’ page. If it seems like music therapy could be a good fit for you, we will invite you to a group and then follow up with you afterwards to see how you found it. If you’re interested in individual sessions, a 20 week group or aren’t sure, we might invite you to meet with us individually (with a worker or family member if you wish) to discuss further. This can be helpful to come and meet with us, explore some instruments, and ask more questions.
- What are music therapy sessions like?
They are informal and friendly, with no pressure, we try to make it relaxed. It can be fun, or it can be serious, depending on what people need. Music is created by people in the group so it’s group-member led. Everyone is contributing and creating the sound and music together. Individuals’ creative input can be moving. All the sounds are valuable, including the sounds of people who haven’t played the instruments before.
Sometimes difficult feelings might come up that can be released, supported, and worked through. This is all part of the process of the therapy and finding a way forward to a more comfortable way of being.
The music therapists will guide you through some musical activities/improvisation. There is no need to say or do anything in particular, we emphasise that you can take things at as comfortable a pace as possible.
- What ground rules do you have in place at groups?
Here are some usual agreements that we make:
- No need to have played before – no right or wrong way of playing
- Can play/listen/dip in and out
- Come to as many sessions as possible, to maximise the support available and to help build a place of consistency and trust for all
- Let us know if you can’t attend
- Everything treated as confidential unless there is risk of harm.
- This is a safe place for expression. Respect for others is important. We value diversity.
- Phones off/on silent if possible
- For 20-week groups, we ask people not to be in touch outside of the therapy space.
This is so that we can process all that is brought up, in the safe space of the group
- What can I expect from my first music therapy session?
The therapists will let you know any notices, including dates for sessions etc. We will do brief introductions, which can just be names. An agreement will be settled on. There is space for a brief check-in, to find out how people are and what they want from the session today, if they know. This is optional and it’s up to you how much you want to share. Then the music can start! After each piece, there will be chance to say how this was for you and hear any reflections from others. There might be several pieces in each session. Before the end, you will have chance to say how you are now, or anything else you want to say before leaving.
- Will it be scary? What if I’m nervous?
It’s perfectly natural to feel nervous before coming to a new place, meeting new people, or starting a new thing. We will talk with you before you come, to think together on any strategies that might help you settle in. We encourage you to come as you are and take things at a pace that feels as comfortable as possible. We will check in with you after your first session to see how things have been and if we need to make any adjustments.
- Will it change my life?
Many people who have come to music therapy do feel that it has changed their life, whether that is in a small or a profound way. Often people say that they can more easily relax or be amongst others, that they have been able to release or shift some difficult feeling, that they know themselves a bit better, or that they have learnt tools for coping better. Many experience uplifting or more hopeful feelings and can move forward in their life.
- Can you teach me a musical instrument?
Soundwell doesn’t do instrumental teaching; instead, we offer music therapy, music support and singing for wellbeing. The focus is on expression and recovery so it’s quite different. Please see the ‘what is music therapy’ page.
- What happens if the therapy doesn’t work for me?
We welcome open conversations about what is and what isn’t working in your therapy at Soundwell, as this is helpful to find a way forward, either in shifting the focus of the music therapy, finding a different group, or in finding something else. We are happy to support you to find another therapy if this doesn’t feel right for you. Sometimes it’s about timing too, and if the timing isn’t quite right, it might be in the future, and you are always welcome to get back in touch.
- Who will my therapist be?
Music therapists are HCPC registered and trained to post-graduate level in music therapy. We always have two therapists facilitating groups. If you come for 1-1 sessions, you will have one therapist and there will be someone else in the building for background support. Soundwell have a bank of staff and freelance music therapists that we call upon. We will let you know in advance who your therapist will be.
- How long can I access Soundwell sessions?
Some groups run for a fixed duration (e.g. 20 week groups), others are rolling and there is no time limit. Some people choose to move between groups as their support needs change, your therapist or Local Service Coordinator can discuss this with you. There is opportunity at all stages of engagement with Soundwell for signposting to other activities and courses, job coaches and support into volunteering or employment. Once you stop coming to Soundwell, if things change and you need more support, you are welcome to get back in touch.
- How do I give feedback about Soundwell?
We regularly gather feedback and really appreciate your time in doing this. Your thoughts are important to us, so that we can develop and improve services. If you consent, we will also gather feedback, anonymously, for our funders.
- What if I want to leave Soundwell?
At some point you may feel that you have got enough from Soundwell. You might feel that you have ‘outgrown’ what is offered and are ready to move on to your next step. Your Local Service coordinator can support you with signposting if needed.
- Are there opportunities for me to support the work after I’ve left Soundwell?
Some participants that move on may choose to become Soundwell Consultants, advising us on ways to improve services. We really value your thinking and voice and will be in touch with you about this.
* Why do you need to know about any criminal convictions, civil injunctions and/or be in touch with my probation officer? (If relevant)
With your consent, we need to know this information for you to come to Soundwell. This is to make sure we can place you in the session that works best for you, and for others in the groups. Very occasionally we can’t offer appropriate sessions safely, or there might be a waiting list for the best session for you. Knowing current conditions with probation services is essential, so that you can be supported by your therapist in the fullest way possible. Having a criminal conviction needn’t be a bar to accessing Soundwell and we are very pleased to hear from you.
*Why do you need to know about my history, including spent convictions, with the criminal justice system?
Knowing about past convictions, including those that are spent, is also extremely helpful. If you are attending 1-1 sessions, this could be a safe space where you can explore and release feelings about your situations, which could help you begin to move forwards. If you’d like, this information could also help the therapists identify, with you, patterns that may have built up over a lifetime and help you to think about how to move beyond these patterns and situations. This can all happen using the instruments, music and words. Music therapy can be a powerful tool for re-building confidence and a stronger sense of self.