Our charitable aims
Nomad Beat’s guiding principle is that music and music-making should be available to all, regardless of age, ability, circumstance or background. From the beginning, Nomad Beat has sought to harness the capacity for music to improve the lives of people in our local community and beyond.
The therapeutic effects of social music-making are well recorded, and we are proud to run a growing number of projects that aim to reduce isolation, depression and anxiety, to promote inclusion and relaxation, and to improve self-confidence, physical and mental well-being.
We believe that music is a place where anyone can go!
Outreach Projects
One of our core values is providing music without boundaries. Our tutors run regular outreach sessions for people of all abilities, ages and needs across the Scottish Borders. We bring the healing and therapeutic benefits of music to the community through a growing range of outreach projects.
If you or someone you know are not able to attend one of our regular groups, please get in touch. We conduct visiting sessions at various settings throughout the Scottish Borders, and can create workshops to suit almost all requirements and goals.
Music group for adult (18+) mental health
Mind the Music!
Anxious? Stressed? Depressed? Lonely? Mind the Music!
Mind the Music! is a project to enhance the lives of people with mental health issues by presenting and exploring the mood-enhancing benefits of making music in a group.
The project aims to:
- Reduce social isolation by bringing people together in a shared musical experience.
- Improve coping strategies, confidence and sense of self-worth.
- Manage social anxiety in a group.
- Build resilience using music as a tool to manage stress and as a coping strategy.
Each hour long workshop concludes with a brief mindfulness and relaxation session, followed by refreshments.
“I was seriously ill when I first came to a session and now I feel well enough to be planning to go back to work. I have been away from work for several months due to mental health problems. These sessions have really helped my recovery because they have been fun, relaxed, social and well planned for people with mental health issues.”
“I totally enjoyed meeting and playing with my fellow musicians and especially the yoga and mindfulness. […] I could really sense the atmosphere of growing confidence and comfort of the other participants. So once again thank you so much for organising these amazing sessions, I really enjoyed them.”
“A chance to sing without judgement”
“It has been an important lifeline for me. Thank you!”
| Where | Nomad Beat Music School (10-11 Cherry Court, Cavalry Park, EH45 9BU) |
| When | Every Friday 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. |
| Booking | No booking required |
| Leaders | Sam Mundy and Jenny Noble |
FREE to attend.
Carers and companions welcome.
No musical experience necessary.
Refreshments provided.
Dementia-inclusive music sessions
Memory Lane Music
Weekly
Memory Lane Music is a group music project for people with lived experience of dementia.
In a Memory Lane Music session, trained and experienced practitioners from Nomad Beat perform popular contemporary and traditional songs to sing, play and dance to. Musical styles to suit all tastes are covered, and comprehensive books of lyrics and hand percussion instruments are provided.
The specific aims of Memory Lane Music are:
- To provide opportunities for those living with dementia and their carers to share musical experiences.
- To reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation by creating a friendly environment.
- To reduce stress to both carers and people living with dementia.
- To enable and increase social interaction between those living with dementia, their carers and the practitioners.
- To explore musical experiences which often survive despite impairment of other forms of communication.
- To improve both confidence and communication, and encourage physical and mental wellbeing through singing and playing.
“Great initiative. Brings people together. Helps and combats sadness and isolation. Carry on!”
“This has been such a good experience for mum. She looks forward to this group and her friends. Great job!”
“Thank you for such a fantastic time – such a great idea.”
“We enjoy the company and how much this has helped me to remember and enjoy songs from my past. Everyone feels welcomed to this group. We look forward to Wednesdays!”
| Where | Eastgate Theatre, Eastgate, Peebles, EH45 8AD |
| When | Every Wednesday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. |
| Booking |
Please contact Eastgate Theatre: 01721 725 777 mail@eastgatearts.com |
| Leaders | Frances Taylor and Robbie Tatler |
FREE to attend.
Carers and companions welcome.
No musical experience necessary.
Refreshments provided.
Dementia-inclusive choir group
Recollective
Weekly
Recollective is an inclusive choir group for people living with dementia and other life-altering conditions. The purpose of Recollective is to improve the quality of life of attendees, with the specific goals of building self-confidence through musical progression and achievement while reducing feelings of stress and isolation. The ever-growing repertoire of the choir includes a wide range of contemporary and traditional songs from across the decades, and the study of new pieces is accessible, methodical and measured. Recollective meets every week for one hour at the Dovecot Court sheltered housing unit and is free to attend for all (including carers and non-residents of Dovecot Court).
The group is led by Anna Ludwig, an experienced choir director and music therapist.
“It is a most enjoyable afternoon and long may it continue.”
“The session is very structured, well led, and allows everyone to go at their own pace.”
“Anna is a great entertainer and keeps the crowd going.”
“We look forward to this session every week – thank you!”
| Where | Dovecot Court, Dovecot Road, Peebles, EH45 8EQ |
| When | Every Tuesday 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. |
| Booking | No booking required. |
| Leaders | Anna Ludwig |
FREE to attend.
Carers and companions welcome.
No musical experience necessary.
Refreshments provided.
Recollective is part of the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network (DISN): https://singing.luminatescotland.org/choir-information/recollective/
Accessible music sessions for school students
Breaking Sound Barriers Too
By appointment only
Breaking Sound Barriers Too is a programme of specialised group music sessions run for primary and high school students.
The workshops are both instrumental and singing based and incorporate accessible musical technologies and systems, such as Drake Music’s Figurenotes. A wide variety of instruments are provided, and pupils are encouraged (but not forced) to join in and to explore the different methods of music-making so that they get a different experience each time.
Each session is led by two of Nomad Beat’s trained and experienced tutors, who perform a variety of well-known pieces, including popular and traditional songs and TV themes.
The programme applies the therapeutic benefits of group music making in a safe space to promote self confidence, creativity and feelings of inclusion through group performance and musical experimentation.
Group leaders: Erin Davies and Jenny Noble
Booking: Currently, Breaking Sound Barriers Too is a closed session for students from Peebles High School. If you are interested in students from your school attending Breaking Sound Barriers Too sessions, please get in touch
© 2024 Nomad Beat Community Music School
All Rights Reserved
Scottish Charity No.SC042031