I was joined this week by Marc Barnacle, founder of Essex based music service TIME, along with his colleagues Rob Fillary and Mike Barnes.
The idea behind TIME is to give people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds the chance to express themselves and experiment for their own benefit within a musical environment. They explained that they provide a wide range of theraputic sessions and workshops on a group or individual basis for people with disabilities, mental health problems or dementia as well as those within the homeless sector or using drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.
In our fast-paced world where the needs of the less fortunate in our society seem to be becoming ever more marginalised by some of the rich and powerful I was struck not just by the dedication of my guests but, moreover, the quite literally life-changing effects their work is having on people who seem to have a much sharper connection with their inner souls than most of us – such as through the singing bowl, described by Rob and which you can see on Facebook. I was left thinking that perhaps those rich and powerful aren’t, in many ways, the fortunate ones after all.
The wonderfully positive effects of TIME’s work come across vividly in the passion and enthusiasim in a fundraising single TIME recorded this summer with some disabled musicians who attend Basildon’s Papworth Centre. All the money raised from The Papworth Anthem is being split between funding the Centre and contributing towards new instruments for TIME clients. You can download it from iTunes – it’s one of those catchy tunes that I guarantee will bring a smile to your face!
For more information on TIME and how they might be able to help you or someone you love or care for, together with details of their weekly Involve Club Night, visit their website or Facebook, email Marc or phone him on 07766 483 588.