High Sheriff of Suffolk Visits Zest
The Zest young adults welcomed a very special guest to Zest Days on Friday 4th November, as the High Sheriff of Suffolk, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, visited the group’s monthly music therapy session.
Held once a month, Zest Music Therapy – which is part of the Zest Days service – provides engaging and fun group sessions that can be enjoyed by all. Everyone involved has an opportunity to express themselves through music, and create connections with those around them.
As part of the morning the High Sheriff of Suffolk had fun joining in with the young adults as they sang popular songs and played a variety of musical instruments, including drums, saxophone and guitar.
“It was fantastic to welcome the High Sheriff of Suffolk to join us for our Zest Music Therapy session,” said Jodie Horwood, activities coordinator at Zest.
“Our Music Therapy sessions are always full of fun and song, as the young adults enjoy singing and playing along to their favourite songs.”
Suffolk High Sheriff, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, added: “This is my first visit to St Elizabeth Hospice and Zest. I had high expectations, as its reputation precedes it, and those expectations were surpassed beyond my comprehension by the wonderful atmosphere, warm environment, superb staff and the marvellous Zest young adults I met.
“The Zest programme is something unique, I believe, as it allows people to move from children’s hospices to St Elizabeth Hospice with friends at both ends to welcome them in a familiar way.
“We are fortunate in our part of the world that we have great services in East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, Zest and St Elizabeth Hospice providing support to our community. They are among the country’s leading hospices and the idea of Zest is one that could applied further afield. It is a remarkable initiative implemented by amazing people.”
Zest Days are held every Friday, at St Elizabeth Hospice from 10am-4pm, and are dedicated to young adults aged 18 and upwards.
The music therapy sessions at Zest are funded by a kind donation from the Jess Grant Celebration.
The Jess Grant Celebration is a charity created in memory of Jess Grant who passed away aged 15-years-old after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. However, her love of music, whether listening to or playing her electric guitar or drum, helped Jess greatly through her 3 and a half years of treatments and operations.
As a result, her parents Anita and Kevin established the Jess Grant Celebration in her memory with the ambition of helping improve the well-being of children and young people suffering from medical conditions by supporting the provision of music therapy.
To find out more about Zest call 01473 727776 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/zest.
