Stephanie’s Breathing Spaces Experience

Guillermo is one of 14 Resident Musicians in our Breathing Spaces programme who play daily across clinical units, wards and waiting areas helping to calm, uplift and inspire patients. Each session is sensitive to the surrounding healthcare space, and offers a shared cultural event, sense of community and social interaction across the Trust. Stephanie said:

“Guillermo’s musical playing and singing was beautiful, but it was the connection that he made with his audience that was so special. After telling everyone a little bit about himself, an elderly Mexican couple asked him to play some Mexican music, which he happily did. The elderly gentleman proceeded to sing along with an equally wonderful voice.

The experience was magical… Guillermo’s visit offered an opportunity for all of us waiting there to be more than a room full of worried and ill people. For those thirty minutes, we were music enthusiasts and an audience that hung on every word that Mr Rozenthuler uttered.”

Breathing Spaces is influenced by research by Nilsson (2008) who found that at least 30-minutes of listening to music significantly reduces anxiety levels and gives an effect of relaxation and pain relief – the minimum duration of any of our performances at Guy’s and St Thomas’.

At Breathe Arts Health Research, we are committed to providing moments of music, magic, dance – and much more – to improve patient, visitor and Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff wellbeing.

Stories like Stephanie’s help us tell others about the work we do. If you would like to share your Breathing Spaces story, please get in touch at info@breatheahr.org.

The Performing Arts Programme is delivered by Breathe Arts Health Research and made possible with support from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity.