British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT)

01/10/2026

766 signatures so far and counting! Thank you to everyone who has signed and shared our petition so far. Sign it here, and please do share it and help us spread the word. Signatures are climbing, but we need many more: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/779527

Music Therapy must be part of new community mental health services. The Government has announced a major expansion of community mental health support across England. Backed by £343 million of investment, the plans will see up to 159 new NHS mental health facilities open, including 100 community mental health centres and 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments.

BAMT believes Music Therapy must be included in the development of these services from the outset, ensuring people have access to a meaningful choice of evidence-based psychological support.

We are calling on the Government and local commissioners to ensure Music Therapists are included in workforce planning and service design alongside the wider multidisciplinary mental health workforce.

Our petition is now live and ready to sign. We have until March 2027 to get 10,000 signatures, and we think we can do it! Please add your name and help us strengthen this call by sharing it with your networks as widely as you can.

29/09/2026

We’re excited to have a stand at the National Education Show in Cardiff this Friday - it's the biggest education show in Wales! Come by, say hello and chat with us about all things Music Therapy and Education - we'll be at Stand 144.

🎉 We’re looking forward to seeing you at the National Education Show in Cardiff this Friday!

Getting ready for the Show? Take a look at the brochure on our website to plan your day:

https://nationaleducationshow.com/cardiff-show-brochure-2026/

28/09/2026

Support Music Therapy services in the UK by signing and sharing our petition! The government has announced a major expansion of community mental health support across England. Backed by £343 million of investment, the plans will see up to 159 new NHS mental health facilities open, including 100 community mental health centres and 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments.

BAMT believes Music Therapy MUST be included in the development of these services from the outset, ensuring people have access to a meaningful choice of evidence-based psychological support.

We are calling on the Government and local commissioners to ensure Music Therapists are included in workforce planning and service design alongside the wider multidisciplinary mental health workforce.

Our petition is now live. Please add your name and help us strengthen this call by sharing it with your networks as widely as you can! https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/779527

22/09/2026

Fantastic news! We are thrilled to hear that after recent news of a closure, Reach Volunteering will be staying open, with funding to sustain the organisation until the end of 2028.

18/09/2026

Ready to take your safeguarding knowledge to the next level?

Join Penny Rogers this November for our certified Safeguarding Adults – Level 4 training, delivered online across four Tuesday evenings: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/safeguarding-adults-level-4-tickets-1994542803216?aff=erelpanelorg

Drawing on more than 30 years of senior safeguarding experience, Penny will explore Level 4 practice through discussion, practical learning and case studies relevant to Music Therapy.

📅 3, 10, 17 & 24 November 2026
⏰ 6.30pm – 8pm, online
🎓 Certificate valid for 3 years

The course is open to practitioners across Health, Social Care and Education. If you’re completing Level 4 for the first time, you’ll need to have previously completed Safeguarding Adults Level 3. Attendance at all four sessions is required.

16/09/2026

In case anyone needed to be reminded of this today!

Image: Music Therapist Angeliki Gkini and Service User Evie / Forth Music Therapy Service

11/09/2026

🛡️ Safeguarding Adults – Level 3

Join us online for this one-day certified training, suitable both for those completing Level 3 for the first time and for practitioners undertaking a refresher: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/safeguarding-adults-level-4-tickets-1994542803216?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Led by Penny Rogers, former Deputy Director of Safeguarding and Public Protection at Devon Partnership NHS Trust, the session draws on more than 30 years of safeguarding leadership experience and includes examples tailored to Music Therapy practice.

The training is open to practitioners working across Health, Social Care and Education and the certificate is valid for three years.

To receive certification, attendees must take part in the full session and demonstrate active engagement throughout.

📩 If you’re booking on behalf of a colleague, please register using their name and email address, or contact [email protected].

08/09/2026

A big welcome to everyone beginning their Music Therapy training this academic year!

We hope the months ahead bring plenty of learning, discovery, challenge, creativity and connection as you begin your journey into what we happen to think is the BEST profession.

No, we’re not taking arguments on that. 😄

Thinking about joining BAMT? Explore the benefits and sign up here: https://www.bamt.org/join-us/bamt-membership-benefits

07/09/2026

One for our Members! Our next free online drop-in event is on Tuesday 29 September at 6pm. The topic for discussion is imposter syndrome, self-belief and confidence. You are very welcome to submit questions to us in advance, or just show up and join us for an informal chat.

The link to sign up is in your latest weekly update email, and it will be included in our next weekly email, which should land in your inboxes this Thursday.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Considering joining BAMT? Find out more about the full range of membership benefits here: https://www.bamt.org/join-us/bamt-membership-benefits

06/09/2026

⏰ Early Bird booking for the BAMT 2026 Conference ends tomorrow, Monday 7 Sept, at 12pm! Register now to take advantage of our Early Bird rates: https://bamtconference.co.uk/

Join us online on 21 and 22 November 2026 for two days of learning, reflection, connection and conversation about all things Music Therapy.

This year’s conference will create space to acknowledge, listen and explore the challenges and opportunities facing Music Therapy in a changing landscape, bringing together a wide range of perspectives from new, experienced and international practitioners, alongside voices of lived experience.