We couldn't imagine Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick without music filling the wards and corridors, and thanks to our wonderful friends at the Australian Children's Music Foundation (ACMF), we don't have to!

The Ukulele Project, facilitated by the hospital’s Music Therapy team and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation Art Program includes a series of creative workshops teaching kids to build and decorate their own ukulele, make music and write songs. In reality, these workshops help sick kids do so much more, increasing creativity, improving positive coping abilities, developing cognitive skills and enhancing self-expression.

Donations like these are vital to help provide family-centred and holistic care to patients - allowing children and their families an opportunity to experience the magic of music at the most difficult of times.

“It is amazing to witness a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate reduce, as well as symptoms of pain or distress during their music therapy session. This highly effective therapy offers a safe space for patients and their families to engage, bond and heal at all stages of critical illness and recovery.” Katelyn Nougher (Registered Nurse and Quality and Safety Project Officer within the Children’s Intensive Care Unit (CICU).
Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick patient Jordyn, is just one of the many sick kids that has benefited from the Ukulele Project during her hospital stay. Jordyn not only built and decorated her ukulele, but designed and illustrated a beautiful songbook too.

“Without Music Therapy, Jordyn’s stay in hospital would have been impossible. It gave her something to look forward to and a reason to get out of bed. It helped her cope with everything she is going through. Thank you.” Maddy, Jordyn’s Mum.

Thank you ACMF for supporting Music Therapy and providing kids with much-needed joy and distraction - when they need it most.

If you would like to support projects or programs like these, please get in touch with the Trusts and Foundations team at trustsandfoundations@schf.org.au