We have to say a huge thank you to Foresters Financial and Karen and her family. They have managed to secure a community grant of £600 for us to purchase a battery operated PA system. We have had great use out of our original system which we have used at Saughton Park and wherever else we’ve been that needed amplification. This new system will be well used and something that will help us immensely.
I got an amazing surprise on Thursday when I came home after the Indoor Choir and Stenhouse Music Memories session. I opened an envelope to find a £1000 cheque sent to us from Wise Music Foundation. I sent a letter of thanks straight away. It was so generous and will be well used, we promise. Is it too simplistic to say if you look after the quality of the work you do, then the finances will take care of themselves. Perhaps there are one or two more issues to look after but I think there is truth in the thought that finances, relationships and quality are linked to good practice.
This week’s Music Memories included St Bride’s, St Cuthbert’s, Eagle Lodge, Open Door, Stenhouse and Eildon House. There were some lovely highlights at each of the places we have been. John has developed great relationships with two guys at Eagle Lodge. They are both Hibs supporters so with John being a Hearts fan you can imagine the banter. The great thing is that these guys remember John and the banter each time we visit. At Open Door we were doing a session on music to relax to. The response from those there was interesting. We spoke about music without words and Paul played some music for us to listen to. It was lovely to just breathe and let the music wash over you. Those there really enjoyed what Paul played and wished that it had gone on longer. At Eildon House we sang the song Wonderful World, and one of the residents who is non-verbal had the biggest smile you have ever seen during the song. As Kenny said to me, we cannot know what memories she was experiencing but we do know they were memories that caused a wonderful response.
We also had a trustees meeting on Friday. It is always good to look and reflect on work done and then project on work to come. We have been working on a development plan that will take us forward for the next three years. The development plan covers each of the projects that we are committed to. Music Memories, Volunteer Project, Choir Project and the Music Therapy Project. It is really good to have this in place as we now have a focus that will cover our fundraising, policy and practice. To those of you who might be wondering if we are going to have a Sing-a-thon this year, well we are. It is going to happen on the 9th of November and the good thing to know is that Paul’s sister will be present.
There is never a dull week at Forget Me Notes so we will see what happens this week. Hope you have a great week too.