“That chain of reaction that creates the spark that ignites Music in Mind.”

17 Mar 2026

Watch the latest inspiring film from Research impact, shaped together and celebrate how collaboration and partnership accelerate our research to impact in line with our Manchester 2035 strategy.

“You can hear the very small sounds that people with dementia make, which is then echoed and amplified by the musicians, which is then taken up by the group,” Professor of Older Peoples’ Mental Health Nursing, John Keady explains. 

“And I think it’s that chain of reaction that creates the spark that ignites Music in Mind.” 

John is working with Manchester Camerata on a project in which music therapists, musicians, people living with dementia and their carers and researchers have co-created improvised music sessions that deliver powerful moments of connection.  

The research-led, community model is now embedded across Greater Manchester and supported by a £1 million National Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia. 

So just like the ripple effect created from “small sounds” in the sessions, wider impact was ignited by a focused, local partnership – as you can discover in this inspiring film: 

Their story is just one of ten highlighted in Research impact, shaped together – a campaign that celebrates the people and practices behind the work, encouraging potential partners to connect and explore opportunities with us. The campaign has five intersecting themes, and this is one of two stories from the hyperlocal theme: when research is grounded in place and shaped with local people, it can drive significant and lasting change. 

Research impact, shaped together supports three of the five leaps in our Manchester 2035 strategy,  From Manchester for the world: Research excellence to impact, A powerhouse of innovation and The university to partner with. ‘Shaped together’ with academics and professional services colleagues from across the institution and their partners, the campaign itself exemplifies our One University approach.   

It also supports our Research Culture and Environment Framework and is a collaboration between the Research Strategy and Communications and Marketing teams.   

Get inspired and involved   

You can discover more about this story and others that show how we collaborate with partners, communities and industry at: Research impact, shaped together   

You can also find out how we support research impact here at Manchester.    

And please help us celebrate by sharing and commenting on our social media posts, LinkedIn  Bluesky and our YouTube playlist.