I might be saying goodbye to my International Programme Manager position at Music as Therapy International, but I’m so thrilled to remain connected by joining the charity’s Board of Trustees.

I first joined the charity’s core team in 2018 as the first Team Assistant and worked my way onto becoming the International Programme Coordinator and then Manager. Over the years I have gained great knowledge of and insight into almost every aspect of the charity, and I can say that the charity’s purpose and ways of operating has been embedded into me. I care dearly about the charity’s work and future having given almost 8 years of my energy and time developing our international programme and seeing how caregivers and people in vulnerable situations benefit from music.

I am definitely stepping back with fond memories, from laughing and chatting away with everyone in our core team in the charity’s friendly and supportive London office environment, to the very occasional days out of the office on team days, and to the adventurous travels for work to Romania (2019), Rwanda (2023), India (2024), and Ethiopia (2019-2025).

It has been such a great privilege to have been able to visit and meet in-person some of our Partners, the settings where they work and the people whom they provide care to. Being a part of the Distance Learning Programme’s Intensive Study Training in Romania was when I first consciously experienced how magical and powerful music can be when seeing the room full of course participants engaging with each other through music-making.

Meeting some of our Partners in Rwanda immediately felt like they were close friends who I’d known for decades, and it was inspiring to see their music sessions and music initiatives, learning so much from them.

India was brilliant as new experiences and opportunities came out of it: presenting at a conference, networking with elder care providers, and indulging in the country’s culinary delights as a big foodie. 

Ethiopia is anyway home for me, so each time I went back during the Christmas holidays and being able to also do some fieldwork has been such an honour and I am proud to have played a key part in supporting our partners’ work with music there.

Even for all other Partners worldwide from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Jordan, Kenya and Palestine, who I’ve not met in person but only corresponded with online, it’s been fantastic to learn about the individual and independent use of music. It has been absolutely rewarding to see over the years the growing number of caregivers the charity has equipped to use music, and I’ve particularly enjoyed being a key point of contact for our Partners. I can only wish for our Partners to have great successes with their music practice.

I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed working with our inspiring Advisory Panel and other music therapists, our reliable translators and other professionals who help bring the activities of Music as Therapy International alive, enabling music to strengthen the care provided to people in vulnerable situations.

My insights of the charity’s history, team, and activities means that I have a wealth of knowledge that I am looking forward to bringing to the Board of Trustees. I hope to continue being that critical friend, offering both encouragement and accountability to the team. I also feel I could add to the Board of Trustees a different perspective by drawing on my own personal background and professional journey, increasing diversity among the Board.

Alongside all this work with the charity whilst holding a master’s degree in international development, I have gained valuable experience in the field and cross-cultural collaboration. This is an area I am keen to keep building on where I go next professionally, and I would look forward to sharing what I continue to learn elsewhere with Music as Therapy International.

As much as I hope joining the Board of Trustees would be valuable to the charity, I know it would also be hugely meaningful for me. Personally, it would allow me to continue contributing to a cause I care deeply about and remain connected to a team and organisation that have been such a big part of my life.

Professionally, I am excited by the opportunity to develop new skills in governance and decision-making, and to gain experience of the charity from a completely different role. I believe this would not only enrich my own professional development but also strengthen the way I am able to support Music as Therapy International in the future. I will also add that I am looking forward to being on the other side, where I am not doing the reporting but being reported to (haha).

Wishing all the best to Alexia, Richard, Elsa, Henry, Lucy and the next people on the bus!