The Music Therapy Community Clinic was set up as a Non Profit Organisation in 2002 with just a single project (Heideveld Music Therapy). During the period 2002 to 2009, we have grown substantially and now run 5 programmes, employ 6 Music Therapists, 2 Creative Music Facilitators, 2 Community Musicians and 3 support staff. Our Board of Governors meet once a quarter and our accounts are audited annually by an accredited accounting firm. More information can be obtained from our website.
During 2010, we critically reviewed the way in which we work and based on extensive consultation with our staff, took a decision to restructure our programmes. Whilst we will continue to work in the areas we were previously based in, we also aim to reach a greater number of beneficiaries by expanding our work across all areas.
From January 2011, we will be running 5 programmes:
1. Baby Programme 0 to 2 years
2. Educare Programme 3 to 6 years
3. Music for Life Programme 7 to 18 years
4. Youth Programme 13 to 18 years
5. Music Therapy Programme All Ages
We will continue to run our programmes offering psycho-social support to people living in underprivileged and under-resourced communities in the greater Cape Town area (Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Heideveld, Brooklyn and Silvertown).
Our motivation:
South African communities have always had a rich musical heritage. The Music Therapy Community Clinic employs qualified music therapists, assisted by community musicians and creative music facilitators, in order to use music as a clinical tool to provide much-needed psycho-social support to under-resourced and historically disadvantaged communities around the Western Cape.
Beneficiaries are often the victims of (or affected by) trauma, abuse, illness (Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS), gang activity, poverty and neglect. Our organisation provides individual music therapy sessions to affected children and youth as referred to us by doctors, teachers or caregivers. Our programmes incorporate group music activities such as drumming, Marimba and choir groups, which we believe offer children and youth at risk an alternative to life on the streets.
All the music therapists have obtained Master’s Degrees and are members of the Health Professions Council of South Africa and also aid skills development by training and supervising community musicians and creative music facilitators within the community.
Music therapy and group music activities provide the beneficiaries with an increased sense of self worth, self confidence and a sense of community. They are able to express and process hard-to-verbalise feelings of fear, isolation and disempowerment in the non-threatening environment of music making.
Our beneficiaries do not pay towards their music therapy or group music activities and the organisation is entirely funded by our donors. We believe that through the provision of these activities we are able to strengthen and uplift those affected by their illnesses, hospitalization and the antisocial and often abusive behaviour in their communities.
Operates in: Cape Town, Western Cape
Established in: September 2003
Non-Profit Organisation Number: 029-601
Public Benefit Organisation Number: 930011978
Section 21 Company Number:
Trust Number:
Contact person: Juanita van Wyk
Phone: 021 671 5196
Fax: 021 671 5196
Email:
Website: www.music-therapy.org.za
Physical address: 185 Lansdowne Road, Claremont
Postal address: P O Box 2069, Clareinch, 7740
