We are excited to be starting work with Music Therapists Sarah
Whiteside and Alastair Robertson, looking at ways to make the
benefits of music therapy available to vulnerable people in
Georgia.

After Georgia declared its independence in 1991, political
unrest led to a lengthy civil war and widespread inter-ethnic
violence. Hundreds of thousands of Georgians were forced to abandon their homes. Even after the end of the civil war, considerable
political instability continued, and further displacement of people
resulted from the armed conflict in South Ossetia [a disputed
region in the north of Georgia]. Throughout these challenging
times, many organisations offered emergency relief and then
longer-term activities to improve the social and economic
conditions of the vulnerable displaced populations. Alongside this
there is ongoing investment into building a civil society and
strengthening democracy.

Sarah and Alastair have both visited Georgia and been involved
with some of these organisations. They brought to us their insight
into how music therapy could play an important part in the recovery
process for children and adults whose lives were devastated during
these difficult years. Together we are discussing a project which
they will take to Georgia in Spring 2011, in collaboration with
Local Partners the Charity Humanitarian Centre
“Abkhazeti”. We have been offering advice and support as
they have developed their ideas in recent months and we hope to
formalise this partnership in the autumn.