Rockin' the Lockin' is returning for a THIRD time with fifteen local musicians playing live from the riverside gardens of the Anglers Pub, Teddington, next Saturday, to raise money for the Twickenham-based music-therapy charity, Otakar Kraus Music Trust (OKMT).

For the very first time, Rockin' the Lockin' will be able to reward all the musicians taking part thanks to the generosity of two local sponsors, The Anglers and Teddington Carpets.

The 'Get Lost in Music' show will be streamed live on Facebook on Saturday June 27th from 2pm to 10.30pm. See link details below.

There will also be five performances from OK Music School students to make it an afternoon of music to remember.

For nearly 30 years, OKMT has been providing music therapy and projects for people of all ages with physical, learning, neurological or psychological difficulties in the Borough of Richmond and surrounding areas, in order to improve their well-being and quality of life.

As well as individual music therapy sessions, they run several community groups – OK Music Club for children with disabilities at local charity, Skylarks; OK Music School, teaching children and young people with additional needs to play instruments and perform in public; OK Youth Choirs for children and young people of all abilities; groups for adults with mental health problems, and OK Music, Harmony groups for elderly people at Homelink and Neurological Music Therapy for clients at INS.

OKMT is currently providing a vital lifeline in the community and has worked relentlessly to keep its services during the current crisis, with its music therapists delivering music therapy sessions and lessons online, providing much needed continuity and support, at a time when so many other services have stopped.

OKMT is currently providing online sessions to over 150 clients each week espite being homeless since the retirement of its founder, Dr Margaret Lobo. Before its services went online due to Covid-19, OKMT was reliant on renting spaces from local churches and schools to operate its services, and these spaces may well not be available in the future.

OKMT needs a home and Rockin' the Lockin' hopes to raise much needed funds to help OKMT with its vision of a home of its own.

Director of OKMT Clare Lawrence said:"We are so grateful to the local music community for helping us at a time when we need it most. Music connects us all and it is really moving to see the kindness and generosity of all of the musicians taking part in Rockin' the Lockin'.

"Their help and your donations allows us to keep on helping some of the most vulnerable people in our local community, bringing happiness and meaning to their lives through music".

Former Mayor of Richmond and OKMT patron, Cllr Nancy Baldwin says: "This is a fantastic initiative. It is so inspiring to see local musicians use their talents and passion for the benefit of those who need and love music so very much.

"OKMT provides a vital element in the lives of the people they serve giving them a way to communicate as well as gain in self-confidence."

Enjoy the music

See the work of the OKMT