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Caroline Waddington-Jones leads the CoMusicate project, exploring the potential for musical engagement via co-designed technology to support the wellbeing of adults living with severe mental ill health (SMI). Research shows that music can help regulate mood, reduce symptoms, foster social connection, and strengthen identity and resilience, making it a powerful resource in mental health care and everyday life.
In Phase 1 (2021–2023) the project worked with adults with SMI, music therapists, and community music leaders to understand how adults with SMI want to engage with music and what gets in the way. Adults with SMI described using music for self-expression, purpose, connection with others, and sometimes a sense of achievement, but highlighted barriers including access to technology, confidence, motivation, and safeguarding. Music leaders reported using technology for remote delivery, online rehearsals, sharing recordings and playlists, and were interested in tools that could support group connection between sessions and one-to-one musical activities, while also noting challenges around equipment, digital skills, and safeguarding.
Drawing on interviews and co-design workshops, CoMusicate is now developing flexible, accessible technology that allows adults with SMI to listen to, create, manipulate, and share music and sound in ways that fit their preferences and circumstances, at home and in guided sessions. Next steps include refining design specifications, building and testing a prototype, and evaluating its impact on musical, social, and wellbeing outcomes.
CoMusicate was funded by Closing the Gap Network
Project Team:
Caroline Waddington-Jones, PI (University of York)
Anna Bramwell-Dicks, PI (University of York)
Tania Dales (University of York)
Noah Henry (University of York)
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