Is collaborative songwriting a missing link in perinatal mental health care systems in the UK? Live Music Now have been delivering Lullaby projects since 2020, with positive outcomes for parents and children.
This UK first Lullaby Symposium brings together; evaluation from Lullaby instigators Carnegie Hall, delivery organisations from Australia, Live Music Now Lullaby participants, musicians and commissioners to explore the opportunities this project holds for parental health and early years development, policy and systems in Wales and the UK. This gathering on 18th July in Cardiff sits within the context of 27% of Mother’s experiencing perinatal mental health challenges in the UK.
Current NHS figures show ‘perinatal mental illness affects 27% of new and expectant mums and covers a wide range of conditions. If left untreated, mental health issues can have significant and long-lasting effects on the woman, the child, and the wider family.’
At a time of acute systemic pressures in both primary and secondary care, it is urgent that we explore the efficacy of musical care for long lasting perinatal mental health benefits, infant development and health worker morale and skills.
What to Expect
Learnings: from delivery of 30 Live Music Now lullaby projects since 2020, including independent academic analysis from Dr Kerry Wilson of Liverpool John Moores University.
Commissioner viewpoint: how does the lullaby project support children and young people and womens’ health strategies in Wales and the UK ? With perspectives from commissioners in Wales and Jo Ward Change Maker and NHS adviser.
Parents: hear how the lullaby project has impacted the life and health of a participant turned Live Music Now Lullaby Ambassador.
Music and musician viewpoint: hear original compositions from parents on the project.
Lullaby around the world: hear from Dennie Wolf of Wolf Brown in the US and Emily Gann of Connecting the Dots in Music, delivering the Lullaby project in Australia currently.
Round Table: Experts in health, music, and education will reflect on the lullaby project and symposium theme, with an opportunity for audience questions.
Guest Speakers (more to be announced):
Dr Kerry Wilson, Liverpool John Moore’s University
Dr Kerry Wilson is a Reader in Cultural Policy at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). She specialises in research on the practice and value of arts and cultural work in health, social care and criminal justice settings.
Read more about Kerry’s work here: https://frontlineculture.net/
Emily Gann
As Founding Director of Connecting the Dots in Music, Emily has established a growing portfolio of creative music projects that sit at the intersection of the arts, education, community and health sectors.
Since establishing Lullaby Project Australia in 2019, she has collectively led a diverse range of award-winning Lullaby Projects across health, rural, and community-focussed settings in South Australia.
Emily was a cohort member of Global Leaders Institute for Arts Innovation (2020-21) and was awarded the South Australian Women in Innovation Award for the Arts in 2023. www.connectingthedotsinmusic.com
Dr Dennie Wolf
Dr. Dennie Palmer Wolf is Principal Researcher at WolfBrown and one of the leading arts and human development researchers and evaluators in the United States. Wolf has helped a number of city-wide and regional consortia build coordinated systems. Based on this work, Wolf conducted a strategic review of all aspects of arts education for the National Endowment for the Arts.
Dennie has appeared in numerous peer-reviewed journals and books. www.wolfbrown.com
Jo Ward
Jo has previously held a senior policy adviser role for a non departmental public body, MLA, exploring how culture contributes to wellbeing.
During ten years as a Principal Arts Officer at the interface between strategy and development, she was able to significantly increase investment in the arts and contribute to a number of cross cutting agendas including health, education and regeneration winning national and regional awards.
Jo is an energetic advocate for the creative health agenda and is committed to reducing health inequalities and promoting social justice.
For more information, contact [email protected]
