Musician: Marcus Bonfanti (guitar, vocals)
Another visit to Northwick Park hospital and today we were visiting Ellington Ward for the first time. Ellington Ward is an acute inpatient mental health ward for older people. The service provides multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment and is an inpatient unit for older people and those with complex physical and mental health needs including dementia.
Patients on Ellington Ward may be here for longer periods of time than others we have met at Northwick Park, those on the geriatric and stroke wards. We found that the ward had a less clinical feel than the more medical wards we have played on at Northwick Park, in that each patient had their own bedroom and that they gathered in a communal lounge for activities.
The session began with Marcus introducing himself and telling the gathered patients that they were welcome to make any songs requests. “I was listening to this one this morning” he said launching into Cockles and Mussels which proved to be an instant crowd-pleaser with many patients and staff singing along.
“Oh no is it over!?” Came a cry, as one of the nurses entered the room, just as Marcus finished the final chorus of John Denver’s Leaving On A Jet Plane. “I LOVE that song”. She looked genuinely upset, so Marcus immediately reprised the chorus to much applause and singing-along. As if by way of our thank you, our friend joined Marcus on stage for Elvis’ Love Me Tender, supplying backing vocals and choreography. Spotting one of her fellow patients sitting still, a woman shouted “Clap! You Have to clap, he’s actually really good!”.
A gentleman sat very quietly by himself requested Danny Boy which he sang along to under his breath as Marcus worked out the chords to a song he hadn’t performed “for about 15 years!”. Spitz musicians have a real openness and willingness to try things that may be outside their comfort zone, for the good of our beneficiaries.
Star of the show was patient J. She asked if Marcus knew any gospel songs. “He probably doesn’t but I thought I’d ask.” He does. And after he’d performed When The Saints Go Marching In, J told him “God sent you.”
She then asked to sing a song. “I want to sing it on my own, to see if I can remember the words.” After offering up a prayer, asking for help remembering the words she began walking around the room, arms out-stretched to patients and staff alike, sharing the music with them, Marcus provided a subtle musical underscore to the words of Beulah Land…
Staff later told us that this was such an important moment for J. She often feels ignored and while this is an effect of her mental health condition, it was good for her to have a moment that was her own.
A big thank you to Highway One Trust for supporting our work and to all patients and staff on Ellington Ward for making us feel so welcome on our first visit and we look forward to seeing you all again in November.
