Published on 01 July 2020
Caring Caitlin Robson whose musical talents have had a huge impact on the mental wellbeing of dementia patients across the region’s residential homes graduates with First Class Honours.
When Caitlin had to complete a 10-week community placement in the first year of her Performing Arts degree at the University of Sunderland, she saw it as an opportunity to work with people suffering dementia and Alzheimer’s, inspired by her own role caring for her mum who suffers a rare autoimmune disease, Scleromyxedema.
Drawing on her musical talents, from singing to playing the flute, saxophone, clarinet and piano, 21-year-old Caitlin set up a series of workshops at Hawksbury Care Home in Low Fell. The sessions had a huge impact on the residents, and even though the placement was temporary, the student was asked to continue the sessions.
This lead to two more care homes, Covent House in Birtley and South Chowdene in Gateshead, requesting her music therapy sessions, a combination of listening to music, playing musical games, creating playlists and making music.
Caitlin went on to launch her own business, Music for Memories, which will continue once it’s safe to return to care home settings.
What is even more remarkable is that Caitlin launched her music therapy business while completing the final-year of her degree, performing in amateur dramatic productions, alongside caring for her mum and working on placement at a school, as she works towards a teaching qualification.
Caitlin, from Gateshead, said: “You can’t underestimate the power of music. I love seeing the look on the residents’ faces when they hear a song from their own past, they may not be able to remember what happened that morning, but music has this incredible power to stimulate memories, and they begin singing along to anything from Doris Day to Dame Vera Lynne, it’s wonderful.
“I have been singing and playing instruments since I was young and I try to draw on my love of music to vary the session and make them as interesting as possible.”
Caitlin added: “I am a naturally a caring person and I took the community placement module very seriously. I knew I had always been interested in working with dementia patents and this was a fantastic way to engage them through music.”
She added: “Music for memories will continue as soon as it is safe to do so. Obviously the coronavirus has had a devastating impact, especially within care homes, and I have been broken-hearted to hear of the loss of some amazing men and women. For now, my priority is that everyone stays safe and to do this I am currently working out ways to continue my services virtually as I think the happiness shared from music is extremely important at this time.”
Dementia affects more than 850,000 people in the UK each year and set to reach more than one million by 2025, this condition is most commonly caused by Alzheimer’s disease and is often seen in those aged over 65. Research shows that singing has been shown to improve behaviour, mood, and cognitive function in some dementia cases.
Hawksbury Care Home manager, Rachel Redman said: “Caitlin’s sessions have made a great impact with our residents. A great relationship has also been built with relatives who visit and listen and get involved too. We are delighted to continue working with Caitlin.”
Dr Adelle Hulsmeier, Senior Lecturer in Drama and Performing Arts and Programme Leader Screen Performance, said: “It is wonderful to watch Caitlin grow; as both a music practitioner and someone who is able to use her art form to nurture and help those most vulnerable in our community.
“Caitlin's work is not only exciting, but incredibly important at a time when we need to be looking after one another, and helping those who need it most. Caitlin has a sharp and acute understanding of the power of music and the arts, and her work is an example of best practice on our BA (Hons) Performing Arts Degree programme. She thoroughly deserves her First Class grade.
Caitlin will begin studying her PGCE in September, now she has graduated - the first person in her immediate family to do so.
She said: “Now I have graduated I plan to complete my PGCE, and complete training to become a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). My ambitions are still to own my own centre providing services for people of all ages and abilities, using music as a device to do this, but this needs funding, so I plan to save until I’m in a financial position to do so.”
She added: “I have enjoyed every bit of my Performing Arts course, the support from the lecturers is fantastic. I have been involved in lots of productions which has helped me grow in confidence and ability.
“I am looking forward to the future and continuing using music in the community as a therapeutic way to improve people’s lives.”
Student Journey – Caitlin Robson
Have you enjoyed your University of Sunderland experience? “My time at university has taught me many valuable skills and has given me a huge drive to achieve every goal I set out for myself. Your uni experience is what you make it. I was surrounded by good people, and because of this, made friends for life, this made my time at Sunderland enjoyable and kept me on track when things got tough.”
Would you recommend the course to others, and why?
“I would recommend anyone to enrol on the BA Hons Performing Arts course as this course teaches you so much more than what the title suggests. The course teaches business skills, communication skills, teaching skills and gives you links to agents and professional companies.
“Ultimately at the end of this course you will feel confident and supported in whatever decision you make in which direction to take your career.”
How have you’ve managed during lockdown in the final months of your degree course? “Lockdown has been extremely hard as unfortunately this was put in place at the pinnacle of my degree. I had organised, and was a week away from performing a variety show I had produced as part of my dissertation project. The amount of planning and preparation that had gone into making the evening a success was gone in a flash. Finishing a performing arts degree from home, making my bedroom my theatre was definitely a challenge and something that will stay with me forever and hopefully I can laugh about one day.
What are your plans now you’ve graduated? “Now I have graduated I plan to complete my PGCE, gain employment in a SEN environment and complete training to become a SENCO. My ambitions are still to own my own centre providing services for people of all ages and abilities using music as a device to do this however this would require lots of funding to start up. So I plan to keep saving until I am in a financial position to be able to do this.”
What is your advice to students thinking about applying for university in these difficult times? “University is an amazing experience and offers you so many amazing opportunities, however, I know this pandemic has had an impact on many people’s mental health and well-being. My advice is this if you feel you are in a good place and ready to do the work go and get your degree. If you feel you may struggle talk with the university, there are lots of amazing support services you can access like the well-being team that can help you achieve your goals. Whatever you decide just make sure your health and mental health comes first!”