A MUSIC therapy project that helps people cope with mental illnesses in Bradford on Avon has been awarded nearly half a million pounds by the Big Lottery Fund to go towards its new outreach programme.

The Soundwell Music Therapy Trust, based at Wiltshire Music Centre, was just one of 12 organisations in the region to be awarded grants which totalled nearly £4m.

The trust was recognised by the South West Reaching Communities programme for helping those most in need and users of the service will now benefit from a £498,859 boost.

Bradford-based Soundwell, which has been running for 15 years, is the only music-therapy based charity in the UK that specialises in mental health by helping people recovering from illnesses such as bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia and clinical depression and anxiety.

Lisa Otter-Barry, co-ordinator for the trust said: “People will now have the opportunity to explore what Soundwell music therapy can offer and may find, like many others we’ve reached over the past 15 years, that music therapy can bring relief and the means to rebuild a sense of self-worth, hope and belonging. One of our group members spoke for many and said that music therapy should be available on prescription.”

The project will now be able to use the funds to launch outreach therapy workshops in new geographical areas in Bath and Somerset with isolated and marginalised users whose lives are adversely affected by addiction, homelessness and mental illnesses.

Lyn Cole, deputy director at the Big Lottery Fund England said: “This funding will help people to unlock abilities and skills to improve the lives of local people and their communities.

"Soundwell Music Therapy Trust will provide a safe environment for individuals to benefit from sound supported by specially trained volunteers and staff.”

Ms Otter-Barry added: “Our participants report that music therapy can bring dramatic improvements to their lives and these benefits are formally recognised by the Department of Health clinical excellence board NICE, which officially recommends music and the other arts therapies as the most cost-effective treatments for the mental health difficulties we seek to address.