British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT)

11/06/2026

New podcast!🎙️In the latest episode of Music Therapy Conversations, host Luke Annesley interviews Mary-Clare Fearn, a HCPC registered Music Therapist, neurologic Music Therapist, supervisor, trainer and consultant with many years of experience working with children, young people and adults across education, healthcare and community settings.

Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.bamt.org/DB/podcasts-2/mary-clare-fearn

Mary is recognised for her integrative and collaborative approach, combining relational, trauma-informed and neurologic frameworks to optimise therapeutic outcomes for clients and the wider systems supporting them. She is currently working with children with SEMH needs, autism, and learning disabilities, as well as providing Music Therapy on a paediatric hospital ward.

08/06/2026

We are pleased to share the findings from BAMT's Membership Survey. Over 200 members completed the survey, providing valuable insight into members’ experiences, the current Music Therapy landscape, and how BAMT can continue to support Music Therapists and Music Therapy as effectively as possible. You can read more and download the full report on this page: https://www.bamt.org/DB/news-view/bamt-membership-survey-report-published-2

The BAMT team and trustees are deeply grateful to all members who took the time to share their perspectives. The report provides important insight and direction, and will help inform our ongoing work. Thank you to each member who invested their valuable time and energy, we really do appreciate it!

08/06/2026

A reminder that tickets for our online conference are now available at Early Bird rates! https://bamtconference.co.uk/

The ethos of this conference is to acknowledge, listen, connect and explore the challenges and opportunities for Music Therapy in an ever-changing landscape. We are extremely excited to take this moment to connect with you all.

We are thrilled to announce that tickets for our 2026 online conference, taking place on 21–22 November, are now on sale! https://www.bamtconference.co.uk/en/

The programme is nearly finalised and will be released in the coming weeks. For now, you can expect:

● 3 exciting Keynote events
● Over 50 oral presentations
● 16 roundtables
● 7 workshops
● 6 Pecha Kuchas
● 4 world cafés
● 3 creative sessions
● 36 poster presentations

Discounted rates are available for BAMT members, and Early Bird prices run until 7 August. We are pleased to offer an instalment payment option.

Find out more and book tickets here: https://www.bamtconference.co.uk/en/
Keep an eye out for upcoming programme announcements!

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04/06/2026

Join us for our upcoming safeguarding training, tailored specifically to Music Therapists and utilising Music Therapy case studies. Check out the dates available and book your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/british-association-for-music-therapy-29946384519

02/06/2026

Last chance to book for our upcoming training, Safeguarding Adults - Level 3, this Saturday! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/safeguarding-adults-level-3-tickets-1984545908234?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&_gl=1*h3s80e*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTM3OTA4NTExOS4xNzgwMzEwNTIw*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3ODAzMTA1MTkkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODAzMTA1MTkkajYwJGwwJGgw

This one day, certified ‘Safeguarding Adults - Level 3’ training is suitable for those wishing to undertake the course for the first time, or as a refresher. In order to undertake this course as a refresher, it is essential that you have a valid safeguarding level 3 training.

Training is open to all Health, Social Care or Education practitioners, though elements will be tailored to the needs of Music Therapists and draw on Music Therapy case studies.

28/05/2026

In case you missed it: We were grateful for the opportunity to publish this anonymous guest blog from a parent reflecting on their family’s experience of Music Therapy, following their child’s diagnosis of ADHD and ASD: https://www.bamt.org/DB/blog/more-than-support-a-parents-reflection-on-music-therapy-identity-and-belong

In this piece, a parent speaks movingly about the importance of finding support that not only meets a child’s therapeutic needs, but also recognises the vital importance of representation and cultural understanding in the life of a neurodivergent Black child.

19/05/2026

Following , Music Minds Matter has launched a major UK-wide mental health survey for people working across the music industry. It takes just 15 minutes to complete, is fully anonymous, and will help shape mental health support across the UK music sector: https://omomof.com/?org=02184

Supported by Nova Twins, and delivered in partnership with Point One Project and Habit Partners, this academic study is open to anyone working in music.

Thee survey aims to build a clearer picture of the mental health challenges faced by artists, crew members and those working behind the scenes, from pressure and exhaustion to isolation and time away from home.

The findings will help Music Minds Matter and other organisations better understand the realities of working in music and shape future support services that make a meaningful difference.

18/05/2026

On Saturday 13th June 2026, EMTC Vice-President, Dr. Rachel Swanick, will lead a free online training session designed to support music therapists in developing a deeper understanding of the intersection between mental health and neurodiversity.

11/05/2026

Call to action for Music Therapists: Respond to the consultation on SEND reforms

In February the Department for Education published the Schools White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, alongside the formal open consultation, SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First. Together, these documents set out the government’s proposed direction for schools and SEND reform in England. The SEND consultation is open for responses until 18 May 2026.

BAMT is preparing its own response, but we also want to ensure that our members and the wider Music Therapy community are aware of this significant opportunity to contribute. It is vital that Music Therapists’ expertise, experience and professional insight are reflected in the consultation process. Rebecca Ellis, Executive Director at Jessie's Fund, has provided a useful resource for our members to refer to while formulating their response.

Find out more and download the resource here: https://www.bamt.org/DB/news-view/call-to-action-for-music-therapists-respond-to-t-2

08/05/2026

We are thrilled to announce that tickets for our 2026 online conference, taking place on 21–22 November, are now on sale! https://www.bamtconference.co.uk/en/

The programme is nearly finalised and will be released in the coming weeks. For now, you can expect:

● 3 exciting Keynote events
● Over 50 oral presentations
● 16 roundtables
● 7 workshops
● 6 Pecha Kuchas
● 4 world cafés
● 3 creative sessions
● 36 poster presentations

Discounted rates are available for BAMT members, and Early Bird prices run until 7 August. We are pleased to offer an instalment payment option.

Find out more and book tickets here: https://www.bamtconference.co.uk/en/
Keep an eye out for upcoming programme announcements!

💫