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Fundraising drive to expand music therapy project for stroke patients

A project that uses music to boost stroke patients’ recovery aims to raise £315,000.
Strokestra team

A project that uses music to boost stroke patients’ recovery is looking to raise £315,000 to expand its reach.


 Hull Integrated Community Stroke Service (HICSS) clinical lead nurse Carol Hargreaves (centre) with HICSS colleagues and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra staff  Picture: Barney Newman

Strokestra is a collaboration between Hull Integrated Community Stroke Service (HICSS) and specially trained members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

In a programme that ran for five months last year, 50 stroke survivors ranging in age from their mid-40s to their 90s played instruments including trombones, horns, guitars, tambourines and maracas.

Extra support

HICSS clinical lead nurse Carol Hargreaves and her colleagues were on hand to provide care if required, and carers also attended the sessions. The project concluded with a public performance at Hull City Hall. 

A review of the project revealed:

  • 86% of patients felt the sessions relieved disability symptoms.
  • 91% of patients reported social benefits as a result of the sessions.
  • 100% of carers reported an improvement in their own well-being and relationship with the patient.

Meanwhile 70% of the 38 HICSS staff involved reported an improvement in their own morale, and 60% said it had renewed their relationship with their patients.

More than £90,000 has already been raised to help the project continue.

Future plans

Ms Hargreaves said Strokestra had provided a ‘unique opportunity’ and she hoped it would grow into a three-year scheme involving 300 patients.

‘We’ll be looking to carefully plan nurses’ duties, including community visits, so as many of them as possible can be involved in future Strokestra projects,’ she said.


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