A music therapist and client making music together

The UK's largest music therapy charity

Music therapy as unique as every person.

Our therapists work one-to-one and in small groups in schools, care homes, hospices and communities across the UK — helping people connect through music when words aren't enough.

Donate today What is music therapy?
1959Pioneered by Nordoff & Robbins
91%Report better communication
3Training centres
0Government funding

Music is in our DNA

We believe music is a human right.

We've all felt music's potency — how it unlocks feelings and memories and brings us together. For some of the people we work with, music is their only way to communicate. No one is being taught, no one is being fixed. Therapist and client make music together as equals, responding to each other's cues. No two sessions are the same, because no two people are the same.


What we do

Six ways music changes lives.

01

Individual Therapy

One-to-one sessions built entirely around the person — their sounds, their rhythms, their way of connecting.

02

Therapy for Organisations

Highly-trained therapists working in SEND and SEMH schools, care homes, hospices and day centres.

03

Community Music

Community choirs and adult afternoon groups — music-making as a shared, social experience.

04

Education & Training

From short courses to the two-year Master of Music Therapy, validated by Goldsmiths, University of London.

05

Research

Research that increases the effectiveness of therapy and training — and deepens the whole field's understanding.

06

Events & Fundraising

From the O2 Silver Clef Awards to Legends of Football — the music industry's generosity funds our work.

A Nordoff and Robbins community choir in full voice
Community choir — London

Life in a session

Moments that matter.

Client and therapist at the piano
At the piano
A child reaching for a drum
First sounds
Hands on harp strings
String by string
A group music therapy session
Small groups
Music therapy at Headway East London
Headway East London
Music therapy at the Newcastle centre
Newcastle centre

How it works

From enquiry to music.

01

Enquire

Tell us about the person or organisation that could benefit.

02

Meet your therapist

We match you with a therapist suited to your needs.

03

Sessions begin

Regular sessions, in our centres or out in the community.

04

Music made together

Therapist and client play as equals — every cue answered.

05

Review & grow

Goals reviewed together as the relationship develops.

Partners, awards & training

Goldsmiths, University of LondonO2 Silver Clef AwardsMITS AwardLegends of FootballLondon CarolsHeadway East London

Our people

The humans behind the music.

SS

Sandra Schembri

Chief Executive

Leads the charity with one belief at the centre: music is a human right.

MT

Our Music Therapists

State-registered

Highly-trained therapists working across schools, care homes, hospices and centres.

TR

Trainers & Researchers

Goldsmiths-validated

The team training tomorrow's therapists and pushing the field forward.

"No one is being taught, no one is being fixed. Therapist and client make music together as equals."
The Nordoff and Robbins approach

Stories

In their words.

★★★★★

"Music gave my son a way to reach us. The first time he played a rhythm back to his therapist, our whole family heard him speak."

Parent — individual therapy
★★★★★

"Residents who barely speak will sing every word of a song from their twenties. Music therapy reaches parts of them nothing else can."

Activities manager — care home partner
★★★★★

"The Master of Music Therapy changed the course of my life. Two years later I'm a qualified therapist, and I see the difference every day."

MMT graduate — London

Questions, answered

FAQ.

How do I apply for music therapy?

Individuals and organisations can both apply. Tell us about the person or setting, and we'll match you with a therapist and talk through timing, location and any costs before anything is confirmed.

Do you receive government funding?

No. We're reliant entirely on the generosity of people like you — donations, fundraising events, charity partnerships and legacies fund every session we deliver.

What actually happens in a session?

Therapist and client make music together — piano, voice, drums, harp, whatever invites a response. Cues are answered, rhythms are shared, and communication grows through the music itself.

Where do you work?

From our own centres in London, Manchester and Newcastle, and in partnership with schools, care homes, hospices and day centres across the UK.

How do I train as a music therapist?

Start with a short course, or apply for the two-year Master of Music Therapy, validated by Goldsmiths, University of London. We hold regular open evenings.

A group music therapy session in progress
Watch a session come together

From the dementia info hub

Why music helps

What families can expect

Bring music therapy to your organisation.

SEND and SEMH schools, care homes, hospices and day centres — find out what therapy could look like for the people you support.

Make an enquiry