Measuring what matters: A National Well-being Report
July 29, 2011
Those of us that have played an instrument in a band will recognise the uplifting and energising power that music has to make you feel good. This is a feature that is also being recognised within a wider framework and at a national level. In 2010 the Office of National Statistics (ONS) launched a programme of work on measuring national well-being. The aim of the programme is to develop and publish an accepted and trusted set of National Statistics which help people to understand and monitor national well-being. It will put together traditional economic measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with those which reflect the social and environmental aspects of society, including subjective well-being. The first phase of the programme was the national debate which ended on 15 April 2011. A report on the National Wellbeing debate was published by ONS this week.
The national debate on ‘what matters to you?’ which was launched in November last year, generated over 34,000 responses. People across the UK gave their views on the things that matter to them most in life, for their individual wellbeing and for measuring the wellbeing of the UK. The first set of national wellbeing indicators will be published in the autumn, for comment and further development.
Many people believe that participating in, or listening to, brass music can have an enormous influence on an individual’s physical health and on mental, emotional and social wellbeing; in other words, playing in a brass band (or just listening to one) is good for you. Moreover, scientific evidence now exists to prove the connection between music and a positive impact on the brain – not to mention the respiratory improvements that can be achieved through playing in a brass band. Brass music is known to affect players and listeners in many different ways:
through quickened heart rates or increased relaxation
by inspiring movement – tapping feet and body swaying (don’t let your MD catch you doing this whilst you are playing!)
through mood and emotional changes
by triggering memories.
The fact that music is processed in many different ways, and has physical, emotional and cognitive effects, may be the key to its power. A recent UK project involved children with emotional and behavioural difficulties who were normally extremely disruptive and found it difficult to concentrate in lessons. The researcher, Anne Savan, demonstrated that, when Mozart was played during science lessons, the children’s behaviour and concentration improved; pulse rate, blood pressure and temperature showed significant reductions. She suggested that the physiological changes were due to the brain producing endorphins that lowered blood pressure and adrenalin flow. These slowed the body’s metabolism and improved coordination. Brass Bands also enhance individuals’ sense of community and belonging. In light of the ONS report BFBB will be taking a look at banding and wellbeing and will be producing information packs that will be specifically aimed at encouraging participation in this area from bands.
Voluntary Arts submitted its own response to the ONS debate focusing on the importance active cultural participation has on individual and wellbeing. It is hoped that if the new indicators include considerations of culture, they will take into account active cultural participation, not just consumption of culture. ONS has promised to continue to engage with third sector organisations as their work programme moves forward.
The full report, ‘National Statistician’s reflections on the Debate on Measuring
National Well-being’ can be found at www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/article.asp?ID=2718.
