A Colombian couple finds solace in Merseyside through music therapy offering connection and healing after seeking refuge.
Sergi is 41, and Lina is 33. Sergi moved to Knowsley ten months ago, while Lina has lived there for six months. They attend music therapy sessions.
These sessions are at Asylum Link Merseyside and are led by Nordoff and Robbins. The therapy helps refugees and asylum seekers, and the sessions began in 2019.
During therapy, people play many instruments: guitars, trombones, keyboards, and drums appear. Lizzie Watts, a music therapist from Wirral, leads the singing.
Sergi and Lina found comfort in these sessions. They spoke about leaving their home country, and Lizzie translated their Spanish into English.
Sergi said they feared for their safety. Leaving their country was hard, and he missed his family and his passions. He hadn’t done what he loved in a long time.
They liked Merseyside upon arriving, but they missed expressing their music. Sergi finds Liverpool impressive and friendly, and he loves the city and its football.
Singing is vital to Sergi’s life; he feels it when he sings. This musical environment is important to him, and it’s a spiritual experience.
Someone told them about the classes, mentioning a nice Spanish speaker who does music. Hearing that drew them to the sessions.
People from many countries attend, including Turkey, Egypt, Togo, and Hong Kong. Libya and Nigeria are represented too, and Lizzie encourages dancing and solos.
Lina appreciates what the sessions offer. She left her country due to danger and learned happiness exists in other places. Music helps her understand cultures.
Sergi hopes to perform in Merseyside gigs. He likes meeting people from other countries and says music connects everyone. He awaits the right opportunity.
Chiedu Oraka attended a session. He found it moving and felt connected to the music there. He saw how music brought them together.