Since November 2020, Kirsty Ormston has been developing the Music Therapy Service on the Neonatal Unit at University College Hospital, London. Music therapy has helped with interaction, soothing, and bonding, and has provided many families with the confidence to sing with their infant. Music therapy also provides an opportunity for...
After a year and a half of being silenced, York’s chamber orchestra, the Academy of St Olave’s, celebrated getting back to live concerts with a popular programme in aid of Jessie’s Fund. The Academy of St Olave’s and Jessie’s Fund have strong links: the orchestra’s director is Alan George, Jessie’s...
Our events celebrating our 25th anniversary last year had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, but we are thrilled that some have been rescheduled. The performance of Messiah by The English Concert, directed by our Patron Trevor Pinnock, will be at 7.30pm on Friday 15th October 2021, at St...
One of our last projects before the world was turned upside down by the pandemic was at Mabel Prichard School, in Oxfordshire. Mabel Prichard School is a community special school for children and young people with complex needs from the ages of 2 to 19. The school says ‘We believe...
We’re delighted that Maxine Peake presented our Lifeline Appeal, shown on BBC One on Sunday 25th October 2020. This 9 minute programme gives you a glimpse of how we help children to communicate through music, and you can watch it here. You’ll see Caleb, who has his own way of...
This is what Jessie’s cousin Katy (right) and her friend Una look like after running a half marathon at the end of undertaking 40 runs in 50 days! They set themselves a modest target of £300 and were overwhelmed with the support they received for Jessie’s Fund, raising £1,250. Needless...
Our ‘lockdown’ videos, recorded by our musicians in their homes, are aimed at helping children, their families and teachers to make music, wherever they are. 20 – 30 minutes long, and free for you to watch, they offer an opportunity for playing along, listening and moving about. All the pieces...
We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Gear4music, who are supporting our work over the next 12 months. Gear4music is a large, well-known retailer of musical instruments and music equipment, and, like Jessie’s Fund, is based in York. They have customers ranging from beginners to professionals, and sell not only...
We’re very fortunate in having lots of supporters who not only love music, but are also good at playing it! Cathy Ibberson is a music therapist who works with children at Martin House, the hospice which looked after Jessie. She’s also raised funds for us through her music, most recently...
Mabel Prichard School is a community special school for children and young people with complex needs from the ages of 2 to 19. The school says ‘We believe in enabling every student to discover who they are and to realise their full potential. Our curriculum offers a broad range of...
