Simon Roberts

I became interested in Music Therapy at a young age. Having turned to music following an adverse childhood experience in my family, I discovered a glimpse of the power of music. Although my support network at the time was essential, I found improvising in music and expressing through music a path to work through some of my emotional challenges I faced at the time. My mother always said she could tell how I was feeling just by listening to my piano playing.

I studied music through school and into university where I attended Trinity College of Music as a bassoonist and vocalist. Although a keen musician, the emphasis on following notated music as precisely as possible somewhat masked the use of music as a vessel for expression.

I further studied a degree in performing arts that broadened my skills into other areas of expressive creative arts such as drama.

I moved towards healthcare when I became a registered mental health nurse, working in an acute assessment unit in the Midlands. I completed my teacher training whilst still in the Midlands and worked as a care manager in the adult sector.

Finally, after 11 years in university I had carved the path to complete my training at the Welsh College of Music and Drama to study and become a music therapist. The acquisition of such a range of skills from several different training and work placements has given me a wide and holistic point of view regarding care and education.

I have worked in special educational needs and difficulties since 2007, including my role as designated teacher overseeing those children and young people in care. I have been technology domain lead at my current school for several years and have a personal interest in assistive and augmentative communication, both low and high level, including eye-gaze technology and software packages such a Grid 3.

My recent work in the adult provision has allowed my passion for Music Therapy to be combined with my interest in communication and technology. Using the vessel of music, providing accessible communication methods, encouraging autonomy, giving choice and providing a voice, all form important parts of my sessions. Everyone has the ability to respond to music, and my Music Therapy uses this connection to facilitate positive changes in emotional wellbeing and communication through the engagement in live and/or recorded musical interaction between client and therapist. It can help develop and facilitate communication skills, improve self-confidence and independence, enhance self-awareness and awareness of others and improve concentration and attention skills.