We are delighted to award a £10,000 grant to the music charity Orchestra of the Swan to fund its Café Muse project for Armed Forces veterans affected by mental health challenges.
Orchestra of the Swan (The Swan), a leading UK chamber orchestra with residencies in Warwick, Stratford upon Avon, Birmingham and Hereford, performs over 45 live and digital concerts each year. The Swan also delivers projects in the communities where it has residencies to promote participation in the arts.
Our grant will fund the charity’s Café Muse project in The Courtyard, Hereford, for Armed Forces veterans experiencing complex mental health and wellbeing issues such as dementia, social isolation and PTSD. The music cafes are led by musicians who have been trained by music therapists ‘Mindsong’, Combat Stress and a registered cognitive stimulation therapy trainer, and enable veterans and their families to perform alongside professional musicians, improve their personal self-esteem and build new friendships.
Debbie Jagla, Managing Director, Orchestra of the Swan, said:
“We are extremely grateful to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity for this generous award. This funding will allow The Swan to continue this vital project supporting the Armed Forces community in Hereford.”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, added:
“Our charity funds organisations supporting military veterans and families in various ways, including through participation in music and the arts. We are pleased to make this grant to The Swan’s valuable work in Hereford, where there is a sizeable Army veteran community.”
Read more about Orchestra of the Swan here.