The Hunna's in Town! Our New Patrons...

The Hunna become Patrons of Music24

Music24 is delighted to announce support from popular indie-rock band, The Hunna.  Originally from Watford, Hertfordshire, the band are welcome advocates for the work that Music24 does in the community.

 “Music24 are thrilled to have The Hunna’s support,” explains Teela Hughes, CEO and Co-founder, “We’ve met the band a couple of times now and not only are they incredibly talented musicians but they’re such good, decent human beings who have their hearts in the right place. They really understand our work and why we exist. I can’t wait to see what we build over the coming years with their exciting endorsement! We feel truly honoured and humbled by their support.”

Band members singer/guitarist Ryan (Tino) Potter, lead guitarist Daniel Dorney and drummer Jack Metcalfe, formed The Hunna back in 2015.  As one of the most exciting, high-energy acts playing the live music circuit, with a loyal and ever expanding fanbase, the band have four albums to their name, the last being their self-titled record which was released late in 2022.  They have toured extensively as headliners and at major festivals.  Celebrating the anniversary of the release of the fourth album last year, they took to the road for an intimate headline tour of the UK which coincided with the decision to endorse the work of Music24.

As our new Patrons , the trio embraced the chance to spread word about the crucial work we do, telling fans on their 2023 Autumn tour all about how the charity support adults in our communities.

“We were so happy to be able to work with the good people at Music 24 on our last UK tour. The work they do to help people with all kinds of disabilities and mental health struggles is so important for our community. Being able to give people a space to express themselves and communicate through the power of art and music is a notion that we fully endorse and we’re very excited to continue to work with them and be involved in all of their great initiatives.” – The Hunna

Working with Patrons like The Hunna and our long-standing Patron, opera singer Brindley Sherratt, endorses the value of Music24’s service and most importantly, ensures that more people are aware of who we are, what we do and why music matters.

More about The Hunna, please click here.

Meet Music24's Dedicated Trustees: A Tapestry of Passion and Expertise

Music24 is a charity committed to the transformative power of music and is proud to highlight its dynamic team of trustees, each bringing a unique blend of expertise and passion to the organisation.

Tom - Leading the Way

Meet Tom Johnson, our Chairperson, whose extensive background in commissioning and personal charity fundraising reflects a commitment to impacting change within mental health. Trained on a local government graduate scheme, he holds a Masters in Public Management, leading Music24 with strategic vision.

John - From Sports Journalism to Caring Heart

John Ley, a seasoned sports journalist, transitioned to full-time caregiving due to his wife, Linda, being diagnosed with dementia. Both have accessed Music24’s sessions and witnessed the magic firsthand. With a 27-year career covering global football events, including World Cups, he brings diverse skills and a deep commitment to Music24's mission.

Tracey - Bridging Health Inequalities

Tracey Brennan works for NHS England and champions reducing health inequalities. With over 30 years in supporting those with learning disabilities, her passion for inclusive change aligns seamlessly with Music24's work.

Ian - Architectural Technologist Turned Music Advocate

Ian Begg, a Chartered Architectural Technologist, retired from Rotary International to dedicate more time to Music24. His extensive charitable background, including organising events like the Stevenage Carnival, brings invaluable experience to the team.

We want to thank our Trustees for all the time and energy that dedicate Music24 to help achieve it’s ambitions! We couldn’t do it all without them!

To find out more about our amazing Board of Trustees , click here.

THE NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARDS MUSIC24 SIGNIFICANT FUNDING

Our very own Teela Hughes, CEO and Co-founder of Music24, has a very special announcement to make!

“We are thrilled to announce that Music24, our beloved community music charity, has been awarded a potentially life-changing National Lottery grant of £285,000 which will help to push vital work forward over the next three years in order to help people living with disabilities and ill-health in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.”

“We are overjoyed that our hard work and determination has been recognised by such a prestigious organisation as The National Lottery Community Fund and we are delighted to have secured not only the immediate future of the service currently in place that currently supports over 450 service users, but also the opportunity to expand the services it offers.”

"In a time when many charities are finding it really hard to make ends meet, The National Lottery Funding means so much to us; it is vital to our survival and will ensure that we're here to support people for many years to come.”

“We've filled in hundreds of funding applications forms over the years, but have mostly lived a very 'hand-to-mouth' existence. This award will truly help the charity to thrive and realise its full potential, with a goal to reach 800 people annually by the third year of funding."

Watch the moment when Teela announces the big news to staff, volunteers and service users.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS - MILLIE'S COLLEGE PLACEMENT WITH MUSIC24

Millie came to us this Summer in her search for a college placement.  She quickly became a valued addition to the Music24 team, helping out at our sessions and meeting our group participants.  Touched by Millie’s account of her time with us, we thought we would share it with you. 

“My time at Music24 is an experience I can’t quite put into words. I could never have envisaged how much the group, the members and its team, would mean to me and how much of an impact it would have.

Music24 has given me some of the best experiences I believe I will ever have in my life. I have learnt so much about myself, about working in a team, working with individuals who have dementia and their families and how much music therapy can influence people for the better. When I began my college work placement hours, I quickly learned that Music24 is a community unlike any other I have seen. It is a place where it is safe to complain, to love, to be happy, to be sad and to come alive.  

From the start it was easy to see how much this group and everyone in it was appreciated and how important it was to people. You could have a bad day or a bad week but as soon as you step through those doors, it was a relief. It’s a place where no one is seen as a diagnosis, each individual is known for their personality, their cheekiness, the dancers or the singers, the drummers and percussionists. It’s a place to get to know people, to share experiences and insecurities that can benefit everyone and their experiences living with dementia.  

I wish more people knew about Music24 and the work that they do. They’ll never know what they’re missing out on. These people have come together to create their own community and their own support system. They’ve made their small corner of the world feel bigger.” 

We were so pleased with Millie’s contribution to our work during her placement, that we really couldn’t bear to part with her.  We offered her the chance to remain part of the Music24 team on a regular basis and we are thrilled to say that she agreed!   

Such a great experience for both Millie and Music24 means we will continue to welcome students for placements in the future and are excited to meet more young people who are passionate to learn more about the work we do in the community!

Meet Josie - Myth-busting for LDWeek 2023

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK, 19th - 26th JUNE 2023 

What is it like to live with a disability?  Disabilities affect many people in many different ways.  This year, Learning Disability Week is all about busting myths surrounding disability by bringing the reality of living with a disability to the attention of the public.   To raise awareness of the issues faced by people living with a disability, we asked Josie, one of our regular participants, to tell us more about what life is like for her. 

What kind of disability affects you? 

Prader-Willi Syndrome, Autism, Cyclothymia (physical and learning disabilities).

Disability is not always obvious to other people.  Do you think that it is hard for people to understand or recognise a hidden disability? 

Yes. People who don’t know me don’t know that I can’t eat some things and don’t know why I get upset. 

Do you think people are kind to those with disabilities? 

Yes, people aren’t really mean. 

What would you like to tell the world about your life? 

I feel happy but sometimes I get very emotional and get very tired. I wish I didn’t have my disabilities. I love some things I do, like singing with Music24, seeing my friends, helping my mum with her dog-walking job, and looking after my dog, Jazz (a Labrador).

Do you think it is important to focus on abilities rather than disabilities? 

It’s best to think about things you can do, not what you can’t do. 

What are your greatest achievements or your proudest moments? 

Sponsored walks for charity. Doing the Summer Reading Challenge at the library and then volunteering to help all the children join the challenge every year. Doing admin at Champneys Health Spa every Friday morning. Singing at Music 24 and with my local drama group. 

Apart from Music24, what other hobbies or interests do you have? 

Reading, watching soaps, singing with drama group, and I really love pugs! 

 Do you volunteer or have a job? 

Yes, I volunteer for two hours a week doing admin for Champneys Health Spa at Henlow, clipping guest packs together. I volunteer at my town library in the summer signing up the children for the Summer Reading Scheme and giving them their stickers and medals.  I also help my mum with her dog-walking job. 

What new things have you learned? 

It’s important to get to work on time. It’s important to wear the right clothes for your job - I need boots for the mud if we take the dogs out in the rain but I can’t wear muddy boots at the library! 

How important is independence and in what ways do you enjoy independence? 

Very important that I make my own decisions about things like when I go to bed and what TV programmes I watch. 

Do you live alone or with others? 

I live with my family: Mum, Dad, and my little brother Daniel. Plus my dog! 

What do you like most about Music24? 

I love the warm-up song: ‘Walk To The End Of The Road’ and I like singing songs that I choose. 

Which Music24 group/s, including location/s, do you participate in? 

First Note, previously named Bigglesrock, on Wednesdays in Biggleswade and First Note again on Fridays in Stevenage.

Do you have any further comments you’d like to add? 

I like seeing Teela, Graeme, Ashley and Paula from Music24, they are all nice. I like seeing my friends and sometimes new people there. 

For more information about how you can get involved for LD Week, visit Mencap’s website here.

Music24 was Hot Hot Hot at Luton Carnival 2023

There was sunshine, street food, colour and vibrant music aplenty on Sunday 28th May 2023, and Music24 showed Luton International Carnival just how to 'shake their stuff'!!  We took our voices (and dance moves) to the Open Lea Project and celebrated the new Hat Gardens by entertaining the crowds with our rendition of ‘Hot Hot Hot’.  A short video of our performance can been viewed below.

Representatives from our Luton based Dementia, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities groups, along with staff and volunteers, were excited to be involved in Luton’s biggest cultural event of the year.  Not only did we get the chance to sing, dance and soak up the atmosphere, we also enjoyed chatting to the public about the work we do within our community.  It was a fantastic opportunity to spread the word about our services and showcase who we are, and why we believe making music and being creative is the key to our health and wellbeing.

Celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III

How did you celebrate the Coronation in May?  Music24 marked the historic event with cake, colour and, of course, music!  Our Singing Café group in Welwyn Garden City had fun making majestic crowns, singing songs of celebration and sharing sumptuous baked confections known as cake, with plenty of second helpings!

As a tribute to His Majesty’s public service, we also spread the message about the act of volunteering highlighted by the Coronation weekend’s ‘The Big Help Out’ campaign.  Championing the positive impact that volunteering has on supporting local areas and communities across the nation, the campaign encouraged people to give volunteering a go for themselves.  We would like to thank all our current volunteers that help make Music24 possible.  From those of you who help out at our sessions to those who support us in countless other ways - thank you for everything you do!

If, in the spirit of King Charles III’s Coronation legacy, you would like to consider volunteering for us, more information is available here.  So please, get in touch with us directly, we would love to hear from you!