Ten budding young musicians from local schools were appointed as Honorary Musicians in Residence for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust by the charity Arts in Healthcare.
Donya Rafati – Battle Abbey, Leon Dobson – Battle Abbey, Isobel Richardson – Battle Abbey, Thomas Pickering – Highworth Grammar, Niamh Hayden-Ling – Battle Abbey, Gabriella Hill – Bexhill College, Leah Hallininon – Moira House Girls School, Eleri Evans – Ratton School, Menna Evans – Ratton School, Jada Marsh – Royal College of Music with High Sheriff Michael Foster DL
The young musicians were presented with certificates by the High Sheriff of East Sussex Michael Foster DL who along with Medical Director Dr David Walker enjoyed listening to a selection of pieces played by the group in the Conquest Hospital foyer on Sunday morning.
Michael Foster thanked the young musicians for their part in such a wonderful scheme saying “Their talents were a great credit to themselves and their music was very much part of the healing process for the patients staying at the Hospital.”
Dr David Walker, Medical Director said: “The Musicians in Residence are extremely talented and having them play live in our hospitals improves the environment and experience for patients and visitors. We are very fortunate to be one of the few Trusts able to provide music in this way and my thanks go to Arts in Healthcare for making it possible.”
As Musicians in Residence, the youngsters give their time free to play for patients and visitors at Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne District General Hospital.
The scheme in East Sussex, which aims to encourage musicianship, leadership and commitment, provides the largest live music programme in any hospital in the UK.
The charity Arts in Healthcare works with health professionals in the Trust to integrate the arts into healthcare services and the environment for the therapeutic benefit of patients and staff and for the enjoyment of the wider local community.