Helping others through music
The Wales in London Philanthropic Bursary helped Gwen Evans turn her passion for music into a career helping others. In 2016, she left Wales to study at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her story shows how studying outside Wales can open doors to amazing opportunities.
Thanks to the bursary, Gwen studied for a Master’s degree in Music Therapy at the Guildhall. During her two-year course, she worked with different groups of people and learned how music can change lives.
After finishing her studies, Gwen travelled to Bethlehem, Palestine, where she volunteered with children. Even though she couldn’t speak Arabic and the children didn’t speak English, music brought them together.
“When you don’t share a common language, music becomes your primary form of communication,” Gwen reflects. “It showed me how music therapy can bridge cultural and linguistic divides.”
Growing up, Gwen spoke Welsh most of the time. Moving to London helped her become more confident speaking English in her work.
“Although I had completed my undergraduate degree in English, living in London and constantly practicing English significantly boosted my professional confidence,” she explains.
While in London, she worked in a mental health unit at an NHS hospital. This experience sparked her interest in using music to help people with mental health challenges. The confidence she gained from moving to London led her to take an exciting opportunity in New Zealand.
In New Zealand, Gwen worked at the Raukatauira Music Therapy Centre in Auckland for 18 months. This role gave her even more experience in using music to help people.
“Moving to London had already taught me how to adapt to a new place,” she says. “This made the move to New Zealand feel like an exciting next step rather than a scary leap.”
Now back in Wales since 2022, Gwen uses her experience to help people in Ceredigion. She works for the local council, using music to support young people who need extra help with learning, have disabilities, or are struggling with their mental health.
She also works with the Forget Me Not Chorus, a special group that helps people with Alzheimer’s through music. Being able to sing and talk in both Welsh and English is particularly important in this role. Many older people with Alzheimer’s find comfort in hearing songs in Welsh, their first language. Gwen can switch between languages easily, helping these people feel more at home during their music sessions.
The bursary did more than pay for Gwen’s studies – it gave her the confidence to chase her dreams.
“The bursary wasn’t just about the financial support,” Gwen reflects. “It was about gaining the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond what I thought possible, while maintaining my connection to Wales. Now, I can bring these global experiences back to benefit my local community.”
Gwen’s story shows how the Wales in London Philanthropic Bursary can help Welsh students grow while staying connected to their roots. By studying in London, she gained skills and confidence that now help her make a difference in Wales and beyond.
