Exploring the Power of Outdoor Music in Later Life: New UK Pilot Study Launches

Percussion Play is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with The Huntington & Langham Estate, a leading care home provider in Surrey, UK, to explore how outdoor music-making can enhance the well-being of older adults and people living with dementia.

This innovative pilot study—believed to be the first of its kind in the UK care home sector—will appoint a Musician-in-Residence to lead a week-long programme of musical engagement in the estate’s beautiful outdoor spaces. The project aims to uncover how combining music and nature can support emotional, cognitive, and physical health in later life.

A First for UK Care Homes

The study will be led by Stuart Wood MBE, a renowned academic and Visiting Research Fellow at Bath Spa University’s School of Music and Performing Arts. Stuart will work closely with residents, families, and staff at the estate’s two award-winning care homes—Huntington House and Langham Court—to facilitate inclusive, outdoor music-making sessions using Percussion Play’s accessible instruments.

Stuart explains:

“This study presents a valuable opportunity to examine how the intersection of outdoor environments and music-making can support the wellbeing of older people. By facilitating musical experiences in natural settings, we aim to deepen our understanding of how such practices can foster social connection, emotional expression, and overall health in later life.”

It’s widely recognised that both spending time outdoors and engaging in music can have profound benefits for older adults. This pilot project will explore how these two powerful experiences—when combined—can:

• Encourage meaningful social interaction
• Uplift mood and reduce anxiety
• Stimulate memory and cognitive function
• Promote physical movement and sensory engagement

Percussion Play’s outdoor instruments are specially designed to be inclusive and intuitive, tuned to pentatonic scales so that every note sounds harmonious—regardless of musical ability. They’re ideal for care home settings, where accessibility and ease of use are essential.

A Culture of Care and Innovation

The Huntington & Langham Estate is known for its pioneering approach to care, following the Butterfly and Dragonfly models, which prioritise emotional connection and person-centred support. Langham Court was recently named Best Dementia Care Home at the 2024 National Dementia Awards, while Huntington House was shortlisted for Nursing Home of the Year at the Surrey Care Awards.

The estate also hosts Hidden Valley Woodland Holiday Camps, creating opportunities for intergenerational experiences that bring together residents, children, and families in joyful, shared activities.

“We are very excited to be piloting this project alongside Percussion Play,” says Sarah Chapman, Director of the Huntington & Langham Estate.

“We’re curious about the possibilities and the benefits of combining music and nature and the impact this might have on the well-being of our residents and their families.”

Charlie Hoare, Managing Director, adds: “We’re keen to explore how this project might help answer some important questions about how to encourage meaningful engagement and build strong relationships within care home communities.”

The findings from this pilot study will contribute to a broader body of research, with the potential to inform a larger international project planned for later this year. Results are expected to be published in 2026 and may help shape future best practices in care home wellbeing initiatives.

Jody Ashfield, CEO of Percussion Play, says: ““This collaboration builds on our ongoing work with care homes and senior communities, marking an exciting step forward in understanding how outdoor music-making can enhance wellbeing. Our instruments have long brought joy and connection to people in parks, schools, playgrounds, and care settings alike, and this study offers a valuable opportunity to deepen our insights and measure their impact within senior care environments.”