What’s in store for 2019 – looking ahead

whats in store for the year ahead music and dementia

Achievements and visions

What have we achieved so far and what we plan to, looking ahead in 2019. The past year has been an inspiring and exciting one for Music for my Mind, filled with incredible support from so many people. Our journey and key milestones so far have included conducting pilot studies in care homes, assembling an influential and highly skilled group of Trustees, staff, advisors and during 2018 – gaining over 350 supporters.

We have developed important partnerships with a range of organisations and individuals who can help us, in the last year most importantly with Quantum Care – a group of care homes excited about innovation and use of technology to improve the quality of life of their residents.

Over the past year we have also been fortunate enough to expand our team and welcome a full-time Project Assistant, Dimana Georgieva. We also have the vital support and advice of many experienced consultants in strategy, fundraising, marketing and technology development.

Looking ahead

With all these achievements, we are raring to go to dive into another year of this exciting journey. Looking ahead, our main activities in 2019 will focus on research and further technology development.

Music for my mind - looking ahead in 2019Research:
In 2019 we will be undertaking the first phase of social science/mixed methodology research to explore issues such as:

  • a systematic review of the literature on music and dementia;
  • a favourite songs review by age in non-dementia populations.
  • demography in care homes, including
    § stages and severity of dementia,
    § the proportion of residents with relatives and how often they visit,
    § who has power of attorney?
    § drugs being prescribed
    § music and other activities currently being used

We are working on our programme of feasibility studies and accompanying protocols, including consideration of appropriate levels of ethics review. Through this programme, we will explore some key operational questions such as the frequency, timing and length of use of personalised music, impact on sleep or wellbeing, etc.

MFMM looking ahead in 2019Product development:

Our other main are of focus throughout the year is to continue developing a tool for creating and delivering personalised playlists that can easily be used and implemented in care homes. During 2019 we aim to draw up the specification for an app to enable rapid creation of personalised playlists, using existing music delivery services (such as Spotify) and based on people’s musical and behavioural background. This involves a lot of tests and versions, to reach a product that will work best within a range of care settings.

Alongside these two main areas of activity, we will continue to raise awareness about the effects of personalised music for people living with dementia, through different campaigns and initiatives throughout the year. We will also keep our stakeholders and supporters informed of relevant news in this area and other relevant technological or therapeutic advancements.

We at Music for my Mind hope to get much closer in 2019 to our vision for every care home in Britain to have a music programme and for everyone living with dementia to benefit from personalised music as an integral part of the therapy and care they receive.

To support our app development, visit our crowdfunding page to donate.

Music for my Mind is expanding the team

*Update: this job opportunity is now expired

 

Head of Strategy and Development

12 months Fixed Term initially

£30,000-£35,000 depending on experience 

St Albans area, Hertfordshire

 

Music for my Mind is a new and timely charity aiming to bring personalised music playlists to people living with dementia. Although people with dementia may not be able to communicate or recognise loved-ones, amazingly, they may still be able to sing along to favourite music from their teenage years. There are estimated to be 850,000 families affected by dementia in Britain, 50 million worldwide.

To date the charity has been operating on a volunteer basis with a committed and well-connected Trustee Board.   The current crowdfunding campaign indicates the breadth of public empathy for dementia. We have raised sufficient funds to recruit for our highest priority position – to lead on strategic development and fundraising for the charity.

 

About the role:

This post will work with the Founding Chairman of the Board, who lives in Hertfordshire, supported by a part-time Project assistant.  The Trustees are committed to building the evidence base that listening to personalised music playlists enhances well-being and quality of life for families affected by dementia. The long-term goal is to test the efficacy and cost effectiveness of this intervention for dementia in a large clinical trial.

Working closely with the Chair and board of trustees, you will provide and deliver the long-term strategic plan and budget to develop the Music for My Mind Charity. You will drive fundraising opportunities, including making grant applications, and manage donors to ensure a sustainable income to deliver the long term strategic plan.

You will work closely with Playlist for Life, Edinburgh University, and other like-minded organisations to deliver the goal of making personalised music available to everyone living with dementia.

Ideally you will have a proven track record of strategic planning and delivery, and of securing funding in a tough and complex financial climate in a senior management or strategy development role in the charity or university sector. You will have extensive experience in financial management and budget development, be a confident communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, and relationship management abilities.

Music for my Mind is an important new initiative and this position creates a fabulous opportunity for someone who can make a massive impact on many people’s lives.

You can read the full Job Description below. To apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter to contactmfmm@gmail.com.

Closing date: July 1st 2018

View Job on Charity Jobs: https://bit.ly/2sw9zuY

Job Title

Head of Strategy and Development – Music for my Mind Charity

Reports To

The Head of Strategy and Development will report to the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Music for my Mind

Job Overview

Working closely with the Chair and board of trustees, provide and deliver the long-term strategic plan and budget to develop the Music for My Mind Charity. Ensure appropriate standards are in place and compliance with the law and regulations.

Drive fundraising opportunities, including making grant applications, and manage donors to ensure a sustainable income to deliver the long term strategic plan

Work closely with Playlist for Life, Edinburgh University and other like-minded organisations to deliver the goal of making personalized music available to everyone living with dementia

Responsibilities and Duties

  • Provide the long term strategic plan and budget to develop Music for My Mind within the direction set by the Chair and Board of Trustees and gain Board approval
  • Develop and secure fundraising opportunities to ensure a sustainable income to further the charity’s goals
  • Prepare the annual plan and annual budget for approval by the board of trustees and drive delivery of the fundraising plan and agreed financial targets
  • Responsible for the financial health of Music for My Mind, management of the budget and finances
  • Act as an ambassador with external stakeholders in order to advance the charity’s aims
  • Responsible for management of marketing, communication and charity administration
  • Regular attendance at Board meetings and supply regular reports to Music for My Mind trustees and to other collaborators
  • Ensure the organization has the right management systems and structures in place to carry out its work effectively, safely, and professionally and to fulfil its legal, statutory and regulatory responsibilities
  • Take appropriate steps to manage risks that could significantly impact Music for My Mind

Qualifications and Experience

  • Degree or equivalent

Competencies

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

  • Commitment to the aims and ethos of Music for My Mind
  • A proven track record of long term strategic planning and delivery in a senior management or Strategy Development role in a charity or university
  • A proven track record of securing funding for a charity or university in a tough and complex financial climate – including experience of making grant applications
  • Excellent experience in financial management and budget development skills
  • Excellent writing skills
  • Ability to communicate the strategic plan
  • Excellent all-round communication skills and relationship-management abilities
  • Personal drive and a positive, optimistic outlook, energy, integrity, creativity and imagination, adaptability and responsibility
  • An understanding of key health and dementia issues
  • An understanding of marketing and PR
  • An understanding of the voluntary and community sector in the UK and the issues it faces
  • A working understanding of digital media platforms

Location

  • Working from home, based in the south east with easy access to Redbourn and the St Albans area. Frequent travel required to Redbourn and other parts of Hertfordshire and London
  • Occasional travel in the UK

 

Remuneration

Salary range £30-35k in the first instance – initially a 12 months fixed term contract

Hours

37.5 hours a week – can be worked flexibly from home. In practice may be longer as individual expected to attend networking and campaign events outside office hours