I write this as I fast approach 10 and a half years with Music as Therapy International, and after over a decade in post – and more than £1.5m raised – it’s the right time to pass the baton to somebody else. 

A role to grow in

Back in 2016, my addition to the team as fundraiser on two days a week marked a new chapter for the charity. As the first staff member with duties dedicated to fundraising, I was given the time and support to build our income streams from individual giving, community fundraising, trusts and foundations and major donors – and diversify them with the addition of corporate sponsorship and a legacy giving programme. 

I can’t overstate how important it has been to work in an environment where everyone’s perspectives are valued, skills nurtured and ideas listened to

I’ve also had the chance to contribute beyond my fundraising duties, from annual reports to strategy, a website overhaul, branding and external communications, and have always been encouraged to explore new avenues and pursue new opportunities. I can’t overstate how important it has been to work in an environment where everyone’s perspectives are valued, skills nurtured and ideas listened to, whether it was the introduction of three (now four) stages of our approach, embracing the opportunity of a TEDx talk, or launching our Key Notes newsletter.

Over the years

During my time I’ve seen immeasurable changes within the organisation. From governance, to finance, communications to impact recording, I’ve seen constant progress and the methodical professionalisation of processes and operations that make the charity so resilient. 

This is true for our activities, too. Local leadership has reached new levels in Romania, Georgia and Rwanda, increasing our capacity to deliver training. Established activities like Interactive Music-Making have evolved to include Awards to improve access and Associate organisations to strengthen the content and delivery of the training. The Distance Learning Programme is being modernised as we speak, and with its open-access online format, the latest ‘jewel in our crown’ Music Helps is enabling us to share the benefits of music in care at a scale previously unachievable.

I’ve said it many times before, but throughout my time with Music as Therapy International I have consistently been taken aback by the generosity and commitment of the people who support our work.

Thanks to our Partners, project contributors – and of course our brilliant small team – we’ve expanded our focus to 11 countries, with the number of people gaining access to music through our activities increasing from 4,000 in 2016, to more than 25,500 last year. And we’ve done this while navigating countless complexities and challenges responsibly and calmly, whether it was international conflicts, fundraising challenges, or a global pandemic.

None of this could ever happen without our supporters. I’ve said it many times before, but throughout my time with Music as Therapy International I have consistently been taken aback by the generosity and commitment of the people who support our work. Whether providing solid foundations for confident forward planning, or standing by us through challenging times, the willingness of so many to believe in our vision, impact and leadership has made my job a pleasure to undertake, so thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way.

The next chapter

The years I’ve spent with the charity have been instrumental for my personal and professional development. Working alongside so many brilliant colleagues and learning from Alexia’s inspirational leadership has been truly invaluable, so it’s no surprise that the impact of my experiences extends beyond my role here. 

In addition to developing as a fundraiser, I’ve gained the experience, skills and confidence to set up my own charity – Lewy Buddies UK – which I’m proud to say received registered status towards the end of 2025. It really feels like the culmination of everything I’ve learnt over the past decade, and with so much to do to take this new organisation forward, it feels like an appropriate time to step away and begin a new chapter – both for me and Music as Therapy International.

After so long in post, some feeling of uncertainty is perhaps inevitable. But rest assured, I’m not rushing off! I will be staying around long enough to hand over to the next Fundraising Manager to ensure they have everything they need to hit the ground running, before saying my final farewell.

I like to believe I will be leaving the organisation in a stronger place than when I joined, and hope that the person taking my place will continue to strengthen our position and enjoy being part of this amazing organisation as much as I have.