St Rocco’s recently welcomed Cathy to the hospice. Cathy is studying to become a certified therapeutic harp practitioner and is volunteering on the inpatient unit to share the benefits of harp music to our patients and those important to them. She has also been part of relaxation sessions and our popular weekly ‘We Care’ coffee afternoons for carers, sharing her passion for music as a source of peace.
‘I want to make people’s lives better and I have found that I can do this through harp therapy. When people are feeling down or anxious, the vibration and resonance from the strings can produce comforting and healing properties.’
Watching Cathy play the harp was breath-taking. She was able to pick up on the frequency of each patient’s breath, heart rate and mood and use her harp to mirror this, creating an appropriate atmosphere and maximising the benefits felt by everyone around.
Cathy explained that the harp is used as a therapeutic instrument to support the listener emotionally, psychologically, physiologically, and spiritually. It can ease suffering and offer comfort to the listener.
‘Harp music promotes relaxation and healing through a cradle of sound to enhance quality of life. It is different from other types of therapy because it is not about people changing their behaviour, instead it is soothing and offers calmness and contentment to listeners in that moment.’
During her time at St Rocco’s, Cathy has observed lots of benefits experienced by our patients.
‘I have helped to shift attention away from pain and I have seen restless patients being calmed by the music. I have also observed that breathing has become slower and deeper in the listeners. I have had the opportunity to support patients spiritually and have helped with the release of emotions. There have been times when patients are relaxed enough to sleep, and I have also used the music to create a soundscape to shield away from surrounding noise on the ward that was distressing a patient.’
So far, Cathy has used harp therapy to support 96 patients at St Rocco’s and 88 of these individuals were inpatients on the ward. She has also played at 12 relaxation sessions and 9 yoga sessions.
We are very grateful to Cathy for offering this beautiful service and helping St Rocco’s to continue to offer holistic care with patients at the heart of everything that we do.
To find out more, you can contact the Warrington Integrated Palliative Care Hub on 0333 3661066 or by emailing enquiries@stroccos.org.uk
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