The Towersey Foundation is a unique charity providing music therapy in palliative care for people living with life-threatening illnesses.

Music therapy has recently become recognised and valued for the beneficial effect it has in a variety of illnesses and disabilities. The use of music therapy in palliative care is, however, a comparatively new and specialised field. Professionals working in hospices and special schools are increasingly appreciating what a powerful tool it is in the total care of their patients.

The Towersey Foundation was the inspiration of Dr.Colin Lee, an eminent music therapist known for his pioneering work in music therapy in palliative care. The Foundation is named after one of his clients whose experience of his illness was so transformed by music therapy that he expressed the wish that all patients could have the opportunity to benefit in the same way. Colin is now the Hon. President of the Foundation and Professor of Music Therapy at the Wilfred Laurier University, Montreal, Canada.

Our current Chairman implemented Colin's plan and the Towersey Foundation was formally constituted and registered as a charity in 1996. The first full-time music therapy appointment was set up at Rowcroft Hospice, Torquay, in January 1998. Since then, many more successful appointments have been made, see our Background Information for more details.

In addition to the work being carried out in hospices and special schools, the Towersey Foundation organises community groups for palliative patients who cannot or do not wish to attend hospice groups. There is also provision for individual home visits for patients who are housebound.

For more information about Towersey's music therapy projects