Daily Dose of Music

<< Background >>DaDOM (Daily Dose of Music) was developed to address an important gap in vocational healthcare education: the lack of practical tools to use music effectively in daily care. Music has immense potential to enhance well-being, build connections, and support caregivers and clients, yet it is often overlooked in training programmes. DaDOM sought to make music accessible as a simple, meaningful tool for care.The project also recognised the need for collaboration across borders to foster innovation. By bringing together educators, students, and care organisations from different countries, we aimed to develop resources that could be adapted and applied in diverse settings. These resources would empower VET students to bring creativity and empathy to their care practices, benefiting both their professional development and the lives of those they care for.DaDOM aligned with broader goals of enhancing vocational education, addressing staff well-being, and creating sustainable practices that improve the quality of care.<< Objectives >>Through DaDOM, we aimed to create a transformative approach to vocational healthcare education by integrating music into daily care practices. The project sought to equip VET students and teachers with practical tools and confidence to use music as a resource for improving the well-being of both caregivers and clients.A key objective was to develop innovative, scalable resources: a student curriculum, an online teacher training, and a care organisation toolkit. These outputs were designed to foster creativity, empathy, and person-centred care, preparing students with unique skills that enhance employability and professional impact. DaDOM also aimed to encourage collaboration between education and care sectors, creating sustainable connections and practices. By inspiring care organisations to adopt music-based interventions, we hoped to achieve long-term improvements in care quality, staff well-being, and client experiences.Ultimately, we wanted to demonstrate the power of music to bring positivity, connection, and innovation to healthcare.<< Implementation >>The DaDOM project involved a comprehensive range of activities to achieve its objectives. We developed and piloted three key intellectual outputs: the student curriculum, the online teacher training, and the care organisation toolkit. Each was tested extensively across partner countries to ensure adaptability and impact.Seven transnational partner meetings facilitated collaboration, quality assurance, and project alignment. Four Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities (LTTAs) provided immersive experiences for students, teachers, and care professionals, combining theoretical insights with practical applications of music in care.Three multiplier events showcased DaDOM’s results to diverse audiences, including educators, care workers, and policymakers. Dissemination activities spanned conferences, workshops, social media, and publications, reaching audiences across Europe.Continuous monitoring and evaluation ensured the project's high standards, supported by regular feedback from partners, students, and stakeholders. These activities collectively delivered the innovation, resources, and connections envisioned by the project.<< Results >>OUTPUTS AND RESULTSDaDOM delivered three concrete outputs designed to transform vocational healthcare education: - The STUDENT CURRICULUM, tested by around 600 students across the Netherlands, Iceland, and Lithuania, far exceeding the target of 200. It provides practical tools to integrate music into daily care. - The ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING, available in four languages as a free MOOC and downloadable resource, equips teachers to embed music into their lessons confidently. - The CARE ORGANISATION TOOLKIT, available online and as a document, supports care providers in adopting music-based practices, benefiting staff, clients, and residents.In addition to these outputs, the project created new collaborations between education and care sectors, enhanced international cooperation, and inspired innovative approaches to care. Multiplier events engaged 145 local external participants, ensuring the widespread adoption of DaDOM’s resources. The project not only met but exceeded its goals, providing sustainable tools and a strong foundation for continued impact in vocational healthcare education.