We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Interactive Music-Making course will be delivered in association with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust for a second year, as part of our recent transition to an Associate model of programme delivery.

We are grateful to Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust for introducing us to Music Therapist Hannah Smith and supporting her contribution to our teaching during this year’s training.

Particular thanks to Ergina Sampathianaki, Head of Music Therapy at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, who shares her thoughts on the importance of early intervention and development opportunities for young children below:

The importance of early years in child development is well understood amongst professionals and also reflected within the NHS long term plan, which discusses the importance of early intervention as well as the need for provision of services within communities. The partnership between the Oxleas Music Therapy Team and the Interactive Music-Making Course reflects this understanding and our commitment in advancing the positive development of young children in the Borough of Greenwich.

We believe that high quality early years provision contributes to closing of the gap between outcomes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. We are looking forward to this exciting partnership with an external organisation that shares similar values regarding early years.

Ergina Sampathianaki, Head of Music Therapy, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

The Oxleas Music Therapy Service provides music therapy services for Children and Young People of South London. They operate clinics within schools and children’s centres in the Boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham, as well as a community clinic for the Children and Young People of Greenwich who have a diagnosis of ASD.

In addition to their paediatric services, they are continuously developing their adult provision in various mental health and community settings. Find out more about their services at Our services | Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.