Funding boost will support Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity music therapy sessions

Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity has received a major grant to fund music therapy sessions at the charity’s Cuckfield centre.
Cameron in music therapyCameron in music therapy
Cameron in music therapy

The funding has been provided by Youth Music, using public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Using a wide range of instruments, the charity’s music sessions support children in skills such as socialising and communicating.

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Pilar Cloud, executive manager of the charity, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have received this grant from Youth Music which will enable us to continue to offer music therapy sessions to all our families.

“These sessions play an important role in the development of our children and enable the whole family to get involved.”

Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity supports under-fives with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments. The charity, which supports nearly 60 families from all across the South East, receives no statutory support and relies entirely on the community to raise its funds.

Kelly Lynch, whose son Cameron attends Music Therapy sessions, said: “Music therapy has been Cameron’s favourite session since starting at Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity and we have discovered he has a huge love for music and singing which wasn’t apparent before!

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“Music therapy really helps to calm Cameron down and reduces any anxiety he has.

“It has helped to teach me skills to manage him through the day too, tricks that help with day to day tasks such as nappy changing and getting him dressed, to helping him learn words and actions.”

The charity has also recently welcomed renowned conductor Adrian Brown as an ambassador.

Adrian said: “On visiting this superb charity I was struck with what amazing work that takes place.

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“I shall be devoted to raise funds in any way I can but especially as a musician I shall focus as much energy as I can in sustaining the music therapy service; through my orchestras and musical colleagues.”