A singer-songwriter from St Albans has launched a music therapy show for those suffering from a range of conditions.
Along with playing to venues across Hertfordshire in the evenings, Alex Scott has begun to visit care centres and care homes for a new show called "MUSIC-AL".
READ MORE
- Eric Morecambe's former am-dram society in 'urgent need' of £40k
- St Albans designer wins L'Oréal fashion prize in London
Once there, Alex plays music for those living with mental health issues, autism, dementia and special needs.
Having become involved due to personal circumstances, Alex became involved in music therapy as a method of communicating with those living with the conditions.
Alex recently retired, leaving him with more time to pursue his goal and develop "MUSIC-AL" for audiences.
A variety of instruments are used in his show, and singalong sections encourage audience participation.
Call and response, song-writing and playing rhythm-based instruments are involved.
Physical involvement and "trips down memory lane" are also encouraged.
Alex said: "I designed a special one-hour musical programme to combine music as entertainment with a therapeutic approach.
"I started doing the show late last year and the reaction has been remarkable, so I am rolling it out to a wider audience, playing all across Hertfordshire, North London and Essex.
"Music is renowned for breaking through barriers in the mind and invoking responses that stimulate awareness, joy, and happiness even in the most extreme cases of adults with mental health issues, dementia and special needs.
Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to our newsletter
"Mental wellbeing and personal expression are the key to a person’s happiness, and music provides a distinct path to keep adults with mental health issues or learning disabilities both active and engaged."
Alex has also authored a book about dealing with mental health issues.
He is planning to hold a concert, to raise funds to provide musical instruments for music therapy in Hertfordshire.
An album will also be recorded, for the same goal.
In 2020, Alex raised over £10,000 through a variety of music-based events, to support Cancer Research UK.
For more information, visit www.doingmyheadin.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here