THE work of a music therapist from Conwy who found her dream job enriching the lives of people living with dementia is up for an award.

Ceri Rawson said she found her niche working in residential homes reigniting joyous memories in the minds of elderly men and women through the power of music.

Now, the project she undertook on behalf of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias with the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham has been shortlisted for an Arts and Business Cymru Award 2024.

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She said: “The fact that we have been shortlisted for the award is also all the wonderful staff at Pendine who have helped make this project a success story.

“Their dedication is beyond compare and their commitment to those in their care is clear to see every time I visit.

“The staff are so engaged and great at energising the residents to ensure they are getting the most benefit from every music therapy session.”

Ceri, from Bylchau, started visiting Pendine Park as part of a partnership between the acclaimed care group and Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias which offers high quality music training and performance experiences for people in Wales.

The two organisations were brought together via the CultureStep programme established by the charity Arts and Business Cymru which forges and facilitates collaborations between businesses and the arts in Wales.

In this case, Pendine Park signed up to sponsor the Wales International Harp Festival, which takes place at Galeri Caernarfon arts centre.

In return, the music body agreed to task Ceri with leading the much enjoyed therapy sessions for residents at Pendine Park’s various care homes in Wrexham.

Ceri qualified as a music therapist 15 years ago after previously working for several years as a music teacher.

She has worked with mental health organisations, hospices, rehabilitation programmes, and forensic secure units.

But she said it was not until she started working with people living with dementia that she really found her calling.

She said: “I am loving every minute of my time working in care homes. When I became involved with this valuable project at Pendine Park I found it so rewarding from the very first session.

“It was clear to me that the staff are fully on board with the music therapy sessions and they totally get how important music can be in triggering emotions and memories in people who are otherwise struggling with their short term recall of important times, people and places.

“Research has shown that music has the power to unlock long term memories, so that people with dementia have the joy of mentally re-connecting with some happy times in their past lives.

“I have seen for myself how family members have been able to better converse with their loved ones as the person with dementia begins to remember people and incidents closely linked with the music we play.”

The winners of the awards will be revealed at a black-tie dinner and ceremony at ICC Wales, Newport, on Thursday, July 4.