Rachel Mabbs

• Master of Speech and Language Sciences
• The benefits and challenges of music groups and choirs for people with aphasia?

Aphasia is a language disorder generally caused by damage to the brain. There are two prominent music groups for people with aphasia in the North East: a special interest music group run by The North East Trust for Aphasia (NETA) charity, and a choir run by Sage Gateshead. The NETA music group met online during the covid-19 lockdowns to do music-quizzes and singing together.

This research focuses on the techniques used by the choir and music group leader which help or hinder the communication and participation of the aphasic participants. Information was gathered using three approaches: reviewing the current literature around aphasic choirs; analysing the zoom recordings of the NETA music group’s online sessions during the lockdowns; and collecting qualitative data from an interview with the choir leader.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Project Supervisor: Dr Janet Webster