Nordoff Robbins

Nordoff Robbins
Name	Nordoff Robbins
Formation	1959
Founders	Paul Nordoff; Clive Robbins
Type	Charity; Music therapy organisation
Headquarters	London, United Kingdom
Region served	United Kingdom
Services	Music therapy; training; research; advocacy

Nordoff Robbins is a United Kingdom–based charity specialising in creative music therapy and associated training, research, and fundraising. Founded by American composer Paul Nordoff and American special educator Clive Robbins, the organisation established a distinct therapeutic model that combines improvisational music-making with individualized therapeutic goals. Over decades it has worked with children and adults across neurodevelopmental, sensory, psychiatric, and palliative contexts, while developing practitioner training and evaluation partnerships with universities and clinical services.

History

The organisation traces its origins to work undertaken by Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins in the 1950s and 1960s, drawing attention from clinicians associated with institutions such as Royal College of Music and Guy's Hospital. Early residential and clinical collaborations connected the pair with schools for children with learning differences, specialist centres like Sage Centers for Music Therapy and local authorities in England. During the 1970s and 1980s Nordoff and Robbins models spread through networks including the National Health Service and charitable initiatives run by organisations such as Barnardo's and Mencap. The charity formalised its UK structure, expanded training programmes, and established regional centres in cities linked to cultural institutions like the Royal Festival Hall and major hospitals including Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Mission and Activities

The charity’s stated aims focus on delivering one-to-one and group music therapy, training practitioners, conducting research, and raising public awareness through partnerships with arts venues and health organisations. Collaborations have included orchestras and ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra, arts funding bodies like the Arts Council England, and educational partnerships with universities including Goldsmiths, University of London and University College London. Activities span clinical placements within trusts such as Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust and community projects alongside charities including Scope and Turn2us.

Music Therapy Services

Nordoff Robbins provides music therapy across settings: special schools, adult learning centres, hospitals, hospices, and community venues. Clinical populations served include children diagnosed through pathways involving clinics like Great Ormond Street Hospital and adults referred via services connected to trusts such as Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Sessions often integrate collaborative improvisation, vocal work and instrument playing using instruments associated with conservatoires such as the Royal Academy of Music. The model informs work in palliative contexts aligned with organisations like Marie Curie and in mental health services interacting with teams from hospitals like Bethlem Royal Hospital.

Education and Training

Training programmes combine theoretical study and supervised clinical practice, often accredited in partnership with higher education institutions including Goldsmiths, University of London, University of Roehampton, and conservatoires such as the Royal Academy of Music. Offerings range from postgraduate diplomas and apprenticeships to continuing professional development for clinicians from allied services including speech and language therapy teams at Great Ormond Street Hospital and occupational therapists working within trusts like NHS England regional units. The charity also provides placements and mentorships linked to qualifying routes recognised by professional bodies such as the Health and Care Professions Council and collaborates on curriculum development with departments in universities like University of Liverpool.

Research and Impact

Nordoff Robbins has engaged in quantitative and qualitative research partnerships with academic groups at institutions such as Goldsmiths, University of London, King's College London, and University College London. Studies have examined outcomes in populations served by specialist schools like Harris Westminster Sixth Form and clinical services in trusts including Barts Health NHS Trust. Research topics include communication development in neurodiverse children associated with clinics such as Great Ormond Street Hospital, wellbeing in older adults in care homes connected to local authorities, and cost-effectiveness in health services comparable to analyses conducted for bodies like NHS England. Findings have been disseminated through conferences hosted by organisations such as the British Association for Music Therapy and published in journals read by clinicians at institutions like University of Oxford medical departments.

Fundraising and Events

Fundraising has been sustained through public and corporate partnerships, benefit concerts in venues including the Royal Albert Hall and collaborations with recording artists and ensembles tied to labels and managements associated with Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. Annual fundraising events, celebrity auctions and charity galas have aligned with media outlets such as the BBC and philanthropic foundations including the Garfield Weston Foundation. Campaigns often involve retail and workplace giving partners like John Lewis Partnership and corporate sponsors from the cultural sector, and the charity mobilises volunteer networks and trustee support drawn from professionals affiliated with organisations such as Barclays and The Wellcome Trust.

Category:Music therapy Category:Charities based in London