T H E
S O N G B I R D S
Specialist therapy for people living with aphasia and/or apraxia of speech
Group music therapy sessions led by company founder Serenna Wagner, an experienced, qualified music therapist, multi-instrumentalist, PhD researcher and professional singer.
An aphasia specialist, who recently was invited to present at the British Aphasiology Society Conference, Serenna helps participants to communicate, connect, rehabilitate and relax, whilst prioritising pleasure and joy, through bespoke, high-quality therapeutic group work.
When? Sessions are on Wednesday mornings at 10.30-12.00
They run from 4th November - 16th December 2026 inclusive
10.30-11.30 Singing and music-making
(integrating Neurologic Music Therapy® techniques)
11.30-12.00 - tea, coffee, cake and biscuits
Where? Sunningwell Village Hall, OX13 6RD
Parking: Free and a good-sized car park
2 Disabled parking bays
Cost: £16/session to include complimentary refreshments
Payment via secure booking buttons on this site or
pay by phone (01865 818938)
or cash or card payments accepted on arrival
BURSARY SUPPORT available. Please contact us to discuss
Musical abilities: None required of participants
Style of music: Varied, accessible genres - designed to appeal to group members
Access: Wheelchair access, disabled parking bays, accessible toilets
Caregivers: Very welcome to join us for all, or part of the time, depending on individual circumstances
Contact: 01865 818938 | [email protected]
Participants can attend a single session with no obligation to continue!
We want to make the sessions available to all who would benefit - bursary support is available - please contact us
Welcome to our unique in-person sessions, offering
communication, confidence and connection through neurologic music therapy
The Songbirds is a small-group music therapy programme for adults with communication needs following neurological injury or illness. Through carefully structured musical activities, it supports speech and communication goals while providing a motivating, enjoyable environment in which to build confidence, reduce isolation, boost connection and enhance wellbeing alongside others who understand. Please refer to our main company website to find out more about our work: www.thisinnervoice.com.
Kind words...
“Music therapy with Serenna is the best part of Chris’s week…
..he relaxes and words and sentences stored in his brain over many years come naturally out.”
AG, sister of participant living with Wernicke's aphasia and apraxia of speech post-stroke
Serenna Wagner
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
THIS INNER VOICE MUSIC THERAPY
PhD Candidate | Fellow of the Global Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy® | Professional Classical Singer | Bond Solon Expert Witness | MA (Music Therapy) | MMus (Vocal Studies) | Guest lecturer
Serenna is known for her “deeply compassionate, yet clinically rigorous approach” (LR - Case Manager & Clinical Director). She is currently working towards a Doctorate at the Cambridge Institute of Music Therapy Research.
Serenna specialises in helping people living with aphasia and apraxia of speech. Music and singing are woven into evidence-based methods to help clients with physical, cognitive, social, emotional and psychological difficulties. She recently was a panel member on the first all-music-therapist round table discussion at the British Aphasiology Conference. Over the summer, Serenna was invited to present her PhD research at the World Congress of Music Therapy in Bologna.
“Serenna Wagner is an exceptionally talented music therapist with a vast range of experience to draw upon from a varied and rich career. Her work as a professional singer and singing teacher has enriched her music therapy practice and provides the foundations for her unique and innovative creative interventions. I have been fortunate enough to witness the remarkable growth and change that comes about as a result of her interventions and her warm, empathetic and caring nature that supports her work. Serenna is passionate about her work and I would highly recommend all her services.”
Victoria Kammin, Senior Lecturer, Queen Margaret's University, Edinburgh
At the heart of The Inner Voice Music is a belief that music can unlock potential where words fall short, helping clients and families experience meaningful progress and moments of freedom and joy throughout the rehabilitation process. Serenna works with The Liberty Singers Parkinson's choir and Dance for Dementia groups as an associate artist with MuMo Creative.
Our friendly, inclusive sessions are especially designed for:
adults with aphasia and/or apraxia of speech
who are looking for therapy that is purposeful, enjoyable and genuinely engaging.
"Music therapy with Serenna is a doorway into a kingdom of joy. It gives aphasia sufferers an opportunity to ‘speak’ and ‘be heard’, against the background of familiar melodies and exciting musical opportunities. To those who love music, in particular, it is a paradise to be explored and a stage on which to perform. It is quite simply like coming home" (sister of participant living with Wernicke's aphasia)
Songbirds is a specialist small-group music therapy programme designed to help adults with neurological communication needs through carefully structured, clinically informed musical experiences. We support people to communicate more freely, participate more fully and feel more like themselves again.
What usually happens during a session?
REGULATION & CONNECTION
Through the use of preferred and familiar repertoire, we help participants to feel more regulated, connected and raise mood levels to help with readiness to participate.
WARM UPS & VOCAL EXERCISES
We do gentle, vocalises and warm ups to help condition and coordinate the voices.
These are typically adapted, traditional warm ups alongside especially adapted repertoire excerpts that focus on target sounds.
MUSIC-MAKING & SINGING
Making use of Neurologic Music Therapy® techniques such as Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT™), Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation Technique (RAS™) and Musical Speech Stimulation (MUSTIM™) we engage in both adapted singing and music-making activities, selecting repertoire participants enjoy. Activities are designed to promote therapeutic benefits in developing speech, regaining words and communication confidence.
We do not include activites that might be too difficult or stressful. The aim is to make progress but for it just to feel like fun!
SELF-EXPRESSION
Serenna particularly enjoys facilitiating songwriting, where participants are willing, and this is a lovely way to give voice to experiences that are difficult to express through speech.
RELAXATION
We will often incorporate some lovely, relaxing music during the closing stages of the session to help with feeling calm and well-regulated.
ALL-IMPORTANT TEA AND BISCUITS!!
We include half an hour of social time where we can enjoy refreshments. This is an ideal opportunity to meet others who are going through similar things. Many participants find it a great relief to be in the company of others who are experiencing the same challenges.
kind words...
“Your sessions are the highlight of his week.”
Daughter of older adult living with post-stroke aphasia
“We have seen encouraging progress, and we genuinely believe it has made a positive difference”
Partner of lady in middle age, living with post-stroke aphasia and apraxia of speech
Let's keep in touch...
If you would like to be in touch with us, then please leave your email address and we will add you to future communications regarding our programmes. We will never send spam or pass your data to anybody else for any reason.
t H E
S O N G B I R D S
© Copyright 2026 This Inner Voice Music Therapy Ltd | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions