Pulse is for adults who wish to improve their health and wellbeing through music and movement.
Created in collaboration with Southmead Development Trust’s social prescribing service, we offer an adult and kids group each week. Pulse is a space to make music and enjoy physical movement, for people of all abilities. The majority of referrals come from Social Prescribing Link Workers, who themselves are receiving referrals from GPs, Schools or social care.
Sessions are structured with the freedom for participants to bring their ideas and passions. Pulse starts with refreshments, and then moves into music and movement-making. We may play with instruments, sing, move to music or do listening, relaxing and breathing activities.
In early 2025 we have also piloted a weekly Pulse Kids programme for ages 7 – 11 and their parents during term-time. These sessions were through referral only and combine music and movement to build confidence and self-esteem, communication skills, empathy and understanding.
“I am very grateful. Pulse gets me out of bed in the morning. I feel connection with everybody, I’m allowed to be [myself] and enjoy not being judged..…it feels beneficial for me at this part of my life”
Pulse member
The impact we make
Community, confidence and wellbeing
In 2024, we engaged 27 individuals, including 9 returners from last year and 18 new referrals (of which 7 became regular attenders).
Overall, we noticed and increased sense of community in 2024, with the group setting up a peer-led WhatsApp group to organise their own social activities during half-terms and holidays in lieu of the usual Pulse sessions.
We also noticed increase ownership of the group and the space as confidence grew, such as during end of term sharing sessions, which contained more solo performances, more peer hosting and increased levels of confidence and self-expression.
We took measures of happiness and anxiety of all participants using the ONS (Office for National Statistic) scales between September – July 2024.
- 57% of participants who completed the survey reported an increase in happiness and a decrease in anxiety
- Happiness scores increased by 2 points on average
- Anxiety scores decreased by 1.6 points on average
Get involved
Sessions
Sessions are free, registration is required
Wednesdays, weekly
Locations
Beacon Music Centre, Stanton Road, Bristol, BS10 5SJ
Get involved
If you feel you, a family member or a person you support would benefit from joining our Pulse sessions, please contact us for more information and to sign up to the regular weekly group.
Registration is required for this group to keep everyone safe.
community@bristolbeacon.org
0117 204 7103
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