Set within the Hampshire countryside, Huntington & Langham Estate has built an outstanding reputation for delivering innovative, person-centered care. The estate is widely recognized for adopting the Butterfly and Dragonfly models of care, placing emotional well-being, meaningful relationships, and individual experiences at the heart of daily life. This commitment to excellence has earned national recognition. Langham Court was 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.

Seeking new ways to enrich residents' lives and encourage meaningful engagement outdoors, the estate recently introduced a collection of Percussion Play musical instruments into its landscaped gardens.

Award-Winning Care Meets Innovative Outdoor Music

The Huntington & Langham Estate selected a range of inclusive and accessible outdoor musical instruments designed to encourage spontaneous music-making and social connection. The installation features the Duo, Cattails, Babel Drum, and Harmony Bells, each chosen for its ease of use and ability to engage people of all ages and abilities. Positioned throughout the garden spaces, the instruments invite residents, visitors, and staff to pause, explore sound, and create music together. Whether enjoyed independently or as part of a group activity, the instruments provide a welcoming and accessible way to engage with the outdoors.

For residents living with dementia, music can be particularly powerful. Familiar sounds and rhythms can stimulate memories, spark conversation, and create moments of joy and connection. The musical garden has become a space where meaningful interactions happen naturally.

The outdoor instruments have introduced new ways for residents and their families to spend time together during visits. Rather than simply sitting and talking, visitors can actively participate in shared musical experiences. Playing the instruments side by side creates opportunities for laughter, conversation, and connection, regardless of musical ability. Even during the cooler months, the instruments continue to draw people outdoors. The rhythmic sounds of the Babel Drum and the melodic tones of the Harmony Bells often provide the soundtrack to family visits, encouraging residents and loved ones to engage in a relaxed and enjoyable activity together.

Because the instruments require no previous musical experience, everyone can participate - from grandchildren to grandparents - making music an inclusive activity for the whole family.

Hidden Valley Outdoor Nursery Inspires Intergenerational Connections

A particularly unique aspect of the Huntington & Langham Estate is its partnership with Hidden Valley Outdoor Nursery, which operates within the estate grounds. The nursery regularly brings children into the care home gardens, creating valuable opportunities for intergenerational play and interaction.

The outdoor musical instruments have become a natural meeting point where residents and children can explore sound together, create rhythms, and share moments of creativity. These experiences foster meaningful relationships across generations and create lasting memories for both young and older participants.

For residents, particularly those living with dementia, interactions with children can encourage engagement, energy, and emotional connection. For the children, these encounters help develop empathy, understanding, and respect for older generations. The instruments provide a playful, inclusive environment where age differences fade away, and shared creativity takes center stage.

Supporting Wellbeing Through Outdoor Music

Outdoor music-making aligns closely with the estate's commitment to enhancing quality of life and supporting holistic wellbeing. The musical instruments help to:

• Encourage gentle physical activity
• Support cognitive stimulation and engagement
• Promote social interaction
• Enable emotional expression
• Enhance sensory experiences in an outdoor setting

As part of everyday life at Huntington & Langham Estate, the instruments offer opportunities for both quiet reflection and lively group activities, helping residents engage with their environment in meaningful ways.

Researching the Impact of Music in Dementia Care

The impact of outdoor music-making at Huntington & Langham Estate extends beyond daily activity programs. Langham Court, the estate's specialist dementia care home, is collaborating with Percussion Play on research exploring the effects of outdoor musical engagement on mental and physical wellbeing in senior living environments. The study aims to better understand how accessible outdoor musical spaces can support resident health, encourage movement, foster social interaction, and improve quality of life within care settings.

Insights gathered through the project will contribute to a growing body of evidence demonstrating how thoughtfully designed outdoor environments can support wellbeing, creativity, and community connection in later life.

Creating Lasting Connections Through Music

At Huntington & Langham Estate, the gardens have evolved into more than just attractive outdoor spaces. They have become places where residents, families, staff, and children can come together to create music, share experiences, and build meaningful connections. Through the introduction of outdoor musical instruments, the estate continues to demonstrate how innovative approaches to care can enrich lives, strengthen communities, and support wellbeing at every stage of life.

Create a Musical Space for Your Care Setting

Percussion Play's outdoor musical instruments help care providers create engaging outdoor environments that encourage social interaction, support wellbeing and inspire meaningful connections. Contact our team to learn how outdoor music can enhance your care setting.