What began as a university volunteer assignment has blossomed into a meaningful movement combating loneliness among Canada's elderly. Julian Powell, a psychology student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), founded Music Share for Seniors, a Toronto-based charity that now partners with hundreds of seniors each month across 10 long-term care and retirement facilities.
From Meals on Wheels to Musical Memories
While studying at TMU and engaging with the university's Social Venture Zone—an incubator for socially-focused startups—Powell chose hands-on experience over a traditional essay. His time delivering meals with Meals on Wheels revealed the stark reality of social isolation, particularly for those in long-term care. Subsequent research confirmed his observations, highlighting that residents, especially those living with dementia, often experience profound loneliness.
"Maybe if we could get people together through a shared love of music and develop regular social engagement it could be the start of something meaningful," Powell recalls thinking. This insight became the catalyst for Music Share for Seniors.
How Music Bridges the Gap
The charity's core mission is to use music as a tool for reconnection and relationship building. "Our programs are designed to reconnect isolated seniors back to special people, places and moments in their lives," Powell explains. Participants actively request songs they enjoy, crafting personalized playlists that spark conversation and memories.
Youth volunteers and placement students deliver the programming one-on-one, visiting facilities at least once a week. This interaction is transformative for both parties. Powell notes that the experience helps young people develop a deeper understanding and compassion for seniors, fostering a more holistic view of life in long-term care.
The Power of GivingTuesday and Lasting Impact
For Music Share, GivingTuesday holds special significance. The charity, which received its official charitable status in 2022, has centered a campaign around the global day of generosity ever since. "It's the biggest giving day of the year," says Powell. "Our supporters turn out to show just how much this mission really means to them."
He sees a direct alignment between the charity's work and the core goal of GivingTuesday to encourage kindness, volunteering, and donations. "GivingTuesday is fantastic because it gives people the opportunity to give and know they are having an impact. To be part of this wider tapestry of giving that takes place is empowering for those who are looking to make a difference," Powell states.
Today, the simple idea born from a student's volunteer work continues to grow, using the universal language of music to combat isolation and build community, one playlist at a time.
