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Communication is one of the most basic needs of all humans, but children with life-limiting illness or special needs often struggle to communicate; many have limited or no verbal communication. This can result in them and their families feeling very isolated and disconnected. Some children will lash out in frustration, others may become withdrawn. They need help to find an avenue through which they can express themselves.

Jessie鈥檚 Fund helps seriously ill or disabled children by using music to unlock their self-expression. They provide children and young people in hospice care, special schools and in the community with opportunities to communicate through music, helping them to connect with their families and with the world around them.

The charity helps fund music therapy posts in children鈥檚 hospices across the country, and assists families with engaging music therapists. Providing around the clock care for a seriously ill child can be incredibly challenging and expensive, leaving many families unable to afford the music therapy sessions which provide relief, respite and joy. With Jessie鈥檚 Fund鈥檚 help, families are able to access this life-enhancing provision.

Music can also provide the key through which children with learning difficulties or complex needs can access learning. Jessie鈥檚 Fund musicians train and mentor teachers in special schools, teaching them how to embed music throughout the curriculum, because every child deserves to be heard and, through music, Jessie鈥檚 Fund can give them a voice.

As Patron of Jessie鈥檚 Fund I am delighted to be presenting their Lifeline appeal. Music has always played a very special part in my life, as a healer and an inspiration. To be able to reach out to young people with complex needs and allow them to communicate through the power of music is a must. You can see for yourself how important it is by watching this programme, and seeing just a few of the special children whose lives can be made so much better by being helped to express themselves in music.

Caleb was born with a rare condition which affects his brain function, vision and mobility. He also has autism and very limited verbal communication. Caleb finds new environments challenging, so the family spend a lot of time at home. His mum, Michelle, finds that it can sometimes be hard to connect to Caleb, and so she does anything she can to foster connection. When they discovered music therapy Caleb just came to life, but the cost of on-going sessions is prohibitive. Jessie鈥檚 Fund has supported Caleb鈥檚 family with the cost of his music therapy, giving them all an avenue through which to connect without words.

Mary is a lower school teacher working in a large special school. They educate and care for children between the ages of 3 and 19 who have severe and profound learning difficulties. Many have limited verbal communication and can exhibit challenging behaviours as a result of their communication frustrations. Jessie鈥檚 Fund started working with staff and students across the school in January 2019. Their expert musicians have demonstrated and trained teachers in ways to use music to connect to and communicate with the children. Mary has seen how this has transformed her classroom and helped children in the home and community. She and her team now use music every day to underpin her teaching and the connections between staff and students.

Jessica was diagnosed with Leigh syndrome, a life-limiting neurological disorder, at five months old. Her parents Vicky and Keith were told that she might not live past her toddler years, so have devoted themselves to providing the highest quality of life for their daughter. For the last nine months Jessica and her family have been receiving music therapy from Anouska from the Alexander Devine Children鈥檚 Hospice Service. It has taught Vicky how to communicate with Jessica, and to really hear what she needs. The music therapy sessions are the highlight of Jessica鈥檚 life, the thing she looks forward to the most, as they give her the opportunity of expressing herself.