OPUS

OPUS offers music-making opportunities to people of all ages across the east midlands and beyond.

OPUS specialises in music in healthcare settings, delivering practice, training and advocacy.

04/09/2026

🎵 What if music could become part of everyday care?

At OPUS Music, we offer Music Care Training an approach that helps care and healthcare staff use music confidently and meaningfully as part of their everyday practice.

We work with care homes, healthcare providers and hospitals to upskill their teams and explore practical ways music can be woven into daily care.

Our training can help staff:

🎶 Develop new skills and confidence
💛 Create more opportunities for connection
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Engage patients, residents and families through music
🌱 Support health and wellbeing
😊 Make everyday care more enjoyable and meaningful
👂 Provide more personalised, human-centred care

Music Care isn't about turning everyone into a musician.

It's about giving staff the knowledge, ideas and confidence to make music part of the environment and everyday interactions whether that's singing a familiar song, using music during a routine, encouraging someone to play an instrument or simply finding out what music matters to a person.

Because great care is about more than meeting physical needs. It's about seeing the whole person.

🎵 Find out more about Music Care Training with OPUS Music, get in touch today

03/09/2026

🎶 Music can create opportunities to participate, connect and be heard.

For people living with dementia, communication can become more difficult but that doesn't mean the desire to connect disappears.

Music offers many different ways to take part

🎵 Singing a familiar song
🥁 Playing an instrument
👏 Keeping a rhythm
👀 Listening and responding
💬 Sharing memories and stories
😊 Simply enjoying music together

A systematic review of 23 studies looking at music and social interaction in care homes found that music activities were associated with increased verbal and non-verbal communication, greater social interaction and opportunities for people with dementia to express themselves and connect with others.

And importantly, music-making can be adapted so that people can participate in different ways, whatever their abilities.

Everyone should have opportunities to make music, participate and connect 💛

02/09/2026

🪗 Why is the melodeon so special?

There’s something wonderful about a melodeon.

It’s small enough to take almost anywhere, but it can fill a room with sound. Its lively, distinctive voice can bring people together and because it is played by hand, there’s a real sense of connection between the musician, the instrument and the people listening.

But perhaps one of the most special things about the melodeon is its ability to spark memories and participation.

A familiar tune can prompt someone to sing along, tap their feet, share a story or remember a dance, a place or a person.

For people living in care settings, these moments can be incredibly meaningful.

Music doesn't have to be complicated to make a difference.

Sometimes it's simply about playing a tune someone knows and loves and seeing what happens next. ❤️

🪗 What song would you love to hear played on a melodeon?

01/09/2026

🎵 Music can help children feel more like themselves in healthcare settings.

Being in hospital can be overwhelming for children especially when something is uncomfortable, unfamiliar or a little frightening.

Music-making can offer a welcome distraction and give children something they can choose, control and enjoy.

🥁 Play an instrument
🎶 Sing a favourite song
🎤 Make up your own music
🎧 Listen and take a moment to reset

During things like taking blood, having a needle or other procedures that may cause mild distress, music can create a positive focus for the child. It can also give families something to share together and provide healthcare staff with another way to help create a calmer, more positive environment.

Sometimes a song, a beat or a few minutes of music-making can change the whole feeling of a moment.

Music gives children opportunities to express themselves, make choices and connect even when they're receiving care 💛

31/08/2026

🎶 Interested in learning more about music in healthcare?

Want to hear about new opportunities, training, events, resources and the latest work from OPUS Music?

Join our mailing list and stay connected.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, musician, care worker, organisation, commissioner or simply interested in how music can contribute to health and wellbeing we'd love to have you with us.

📩 Join the OPUS Music mailing list and be the first to hear what's happening.

https://mailchi.mp/4d441fce4e0f/opusmusic

30/08/2026

🥁 Music gives young people choices.

Being in hospital or receiving care can mean that many decisions are made for you.

Music-making can create a space where young people have control.

🎶 What do you want to play?
🎤 What song do you want to hear?
🥁 Which instrument do you want to try?
🎵 Do you want to join in or just listen?

These might seem like small choices, but having opportunities to make decisions, express preferences and take the lead can make a real difference.

Music-making isn't about getting it "right".

It's about giving young people the freedom to explore, create, communicate and be themselves.

Because having a voice in your care matters. 💛

29/08/2026

🎵 Music can help people living with dementia stay connected.

As dementia progresses, communication through words can become more difficult. But music can offer another way to express ourselves, connect with others and share experiences.

A 2022 systematic review of research into music and social interaction in care homes found that music activities were associated with increased verbal and non-verbal communication and greater interaction between residents, carers and others. The review also highlighted how music can support reminiscence, self-expression and connection, including for people experiencing significant language difficulties.

This is why music matters in care.

It isn't simply something nice to have. With the right approach, music can become part of everyday life helping people communicate, participate, express themselves and connect with the people around them.

🎶 Music belongs in care.

28/08/2026

🎶 Music can create opportunities to communicate when words aren't always easy.

Music gives us another way to connect.

A shared song, a familiar melody, a rhythm or simply playing an instrument together can create moments of communication, through eye contact, movement, expression, singing, listening and responding.

For people living in health and social care settings, music can open up opportunities to connect with others in ways that don't rely solely on spoken words.

Sometimes communication starts with a song. 💛

At OPUS Music, we believe music should be part of everyday care creating opportunities for connection, expression and meaningful interaction.

16/07/2026

A patient sits quietly at the glockenspiel, exploring notes, creating melodies and enjoying a moment of calm amidst the busy hospital environment.

Music-making can offer comfort, creativity and a welcome distraction, helping patients feel more relaxed and engaged during their stay.

🎶💙

15/07/2026

Did you know we run a Mind & Melody group in Bolsover?

Our friendly sessions use music to bring people together, encourage connection and create enjoyable shared experiences.

If you or someone you know would be interested in joining us, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch to find out more. 🎵

Address

3 Dodgewell Close
Derby
DE555BH

Telephone

+447786157515

Website

http://www.opusmusic.org/

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Contact The Organisation

Send a message to OPUS:

Diaspora Development of Djarkpanga in Togo-DD
waverely Street

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