We've been privileged to see the transformative effect of music provision in the lives of children and young adults chART have helped over the past seven years. Creative music-making is a powerful therapeutic tool which has enabled those with life-limiting conditions to communicate when words cannot, assisted memory, concentration and self awareness, promoted better mental health and enriched their lives so much. We truly believe that music makes the soul smile!

We are currently supporting Stephen, a 24-year-old young man with complex life-limiting conditions.Stephen has a heart defect and has been in and out of hospitals and hospices since birth.Last year, he had major heart surgery, and also suffered an ischemic stroke, which left him with neurological damage including seizures, speech, cognitive and mobility problems.

His family recognise the benefit that Stephen derives from music, which he has always loved; it has enabled him to communicate,and he only smiles when he is creating or listening to music. He completed a course of music therapy in his rehabilitation programme, but has access to very few instruments at home, and can only access further therapy privately. His family can't afford this provision so this is where we come in!

chART are funding weekly music therapy sessions for Stephen and we need your support to enable us to raise funds for musical instruments, which we will purchase after Stephen has been accessed by the music therapist to ensure that we provide the most appropriate for his needs.

It is important that he will still benefit at home when these therapy sessions finish in six months' time; we are committed to ensuring that he has access to musical instruments at home and that his parents receive the assistance they need to continue to help Stephen to create the music he loves.