The Otakar Kraus Music Trust provides individual music therapy and group music projects for children, young people and adults with physical, learning, neurological or psychological difficulties, in South West London. Music therapy is a scientifically proven method of reaching people and helping them to communicate, based on the understanding that the ability to respond to music remains unimpaired by disability, injury, illness or trauma. Music Therapy helps to:
- Improve communication skills
- Improve concentration
- Improve social interaction skills
- Increase confidence and pride
- Encourage creativity and choice
- Relieve tension and anxiety
- Improve self-expression and quality of life
We operate from our purpose-built Music Studio in Twickenham, and at a number of outreach projects. We run Music Club at local charity Me too & Co: group sessions for children aged 4 months to 8 years with additional needs, using percussion and musical instruments to encourage creativity, concentration and communication.
OKMT started its own Music School 4 years ago for children and young people aged 5-25 with disabilities, to enable them to learn to play a musical instrument and perform in public, greatly enhancing their confidence and social skills. In partnership with The West London Mental Health Trust, we run OK Youth Group to help the rehabilitation of young people with mental illness. We also run the Go-Local Community Choir.
Over the summer, we will be running some free of charge fun workshops for children with additional needs and their siblings at our Music Studio at 3 Twining Avenue, Twickenham TW2 5LL. Details as follows:
Poetry and Music Workshops with Philip Wells, Performance Poet, and Edison Carolino, OK Music School Music Director:
- Tuesday 1st & Thursday 3rd August, 10-10.30am for ages 5-11 years
- Tuesday 1st & Thursday 3rd August, 10.45-11.15am for children over 11 years
Drumming Workshops with Edison Carolino:
- Tuesday 8th & Thursday 10th August, 10-10.30am for for ages 5-11 years
- Tuesday 8th & Thursday 10th August, 10.45-11.15 for children over 11 years
For more information or to book a place, please email Mercedes at mercedes@okmtrust.co.uk
Go to www.okmtrust.co.uk
Source: Otakar Kraus Music Trust
