Our Story, by Greg Floyd (Founder)

"Hi there!  I'm going to use this part of the website to briefly tell the story of how GMF Music came about in its current form.  I don't want to bore anyone with my entire autobiography, so I shall simply start in 2003 after I'd just had the best 2 years of my life studying music National Diploma at my local College....

In these earlier years of working life, I held down jobs in a couple of mainstream schools as a teaching assistant, supporting 7-17 year-olds, often with SEN, and it's here where some of my first experiences and opportunities came about musically, too.  I made myself as visible as possible in these settings, making myself available to support extra-curricular activities, taking just about any opportunity I could to get involved;  musician for school shows, song-writer for original plays, and, outside of the schools, remaining active in my Church community taking on more leadership there, some early band-work playing in pubs and workingmen's clubs as well as gigs for private functions, or charity.  I embraced all the collaborations,  cherished all the connections and friendships I was making, and gained some much needed life experience.  It was as early as '03 when quite a few parents started to approach me asking if I could teach their child the keyboard, guitar, or drums - whichever instrument they'd perhaps seen me playing.  I was happy to oblige, and realised I liked having creative control, and freedom to deliver tuition in person-centred approaches.  GMF Music was born - and I had the MySpace page to show for it - but back then I would never have thought it'd go on to be so much more than a side hustle! (Picture: Gigging with 'The Importers', from 2005-2008 , a band that proudly played original music, and below, 'Double Take', a vibrant duo act performing covers in a fresh, charismatic style, 2010-2013)

In early 2009 I took the golden opportunity to apply for a position in a psychiatric hospital, working for occupational therapists, in a music-specific role, where my job would be to plan and facilitate patient-centred music sessions as part of their treatment programme and creative opportunities while in hospital.  This experience was to be the most eye-opening of my life, gaining a wealth of knowledge about mental health professionals, working with behaviours that challenge, and learning how music could (and does) aid the recovery journey of perhaps the most complex, chronically unwell and vulnerable individuals in the country so effectively. This provided me with my earliest clinical experiences, which would prove essential for GMF Music further down the line, as I'd be able to approach settings with confidence and competence in the areas that mattered, particularly where the vulnerable are involved.  From '09 -'19 there were as many milestone moments at home too; moving house and being new to Northampton, marriage, and children.  While my lifestyle shifted in the direction of prioritising family, the band-work, and eventually the private tuition, understandably slowed down. But the hospital work by day (and parenting journey all the while at home) certainly kept me busy enough.

Another advantage of working in such a large healthcare setting, was that rather a lot of people, often at service director level, knew who I was, what I could do, how I did it, and how effective it was.  And when they left the hospital to pursue their career, one or two them reached out to me, particularly on the back of the covid-19 pandemic which restricted so many care settings from doing things such as singing or group work, to see if I would visit them in their new hospitals or care settings, to provide music input.  "What exactly would you want me to do?" I'd ask. "Well, just do your thing, Greg. Our residents really need something like this.  Read the room, but be yourself. Can you fit us in? We'll make it work when-ever you're available"  

At the time, 2022, because of how my childcare issues had unfolded, I was employed only part time myself, and so had the scope to pursue what could potentially be the start of something rather new and exciting once my children got older and my availability started to return.  I have to tell you, though, despite my experience at the time, and gratitude to be approached in such confidence and good faith by such senior Healthcare professionals, I second-guessed myself quite a lot.  "Can I really do this? It'll be like working for myself. What if I mess things up?"  I would say to myself.  But I'm glad I accepted the opportunity, it was an honour to be approached, and, frankly, I've never looked back.

One monthly visit became two. Two became three.  Three settings a month!  I realised I actually enjoyed being self employed very much.  I wanted to expand my reach. More places, more people, more impact.   Much more. But how?  It'd been a lucky break that a few former directors had got in touch with me initially, but it was still a far cry from a monthly schedule busy enough to make it a livelihood. How could I scope the demand for live music for wellbeing locally, across a wide range of health and social care organisations...? 

I recalled a conversation I had a decade earlier with a music colleague when we dreamed of 'making it on our own'.  "Offer a free taster session." we agreed, hypothetically, "First one's free. You'd have nothing to loose by trying, but you'd have to find a 'way in', so the staff can see it for themselves.  And if you only got regular bookings from just half of the free sessions, you'd be on your way".. And that was my exact strategy, for real, some 10 years after that chat(!). After some market research looking places up to get a feel for it, I cold-called about 10 places, being completely transparent about my situation, my background, and so on, offering something for free.  Uptake was good!  But would the bookings follow...? They did!  Thank you!!  9 out of 10 places that had a free taster session in 2023/24 booked me for subsequent visits, some of which becoming regular fixtures.  I couldn't have been happier! Word of mouth really took off also, with emails and texts with enquiries coming in, and reviews landing on my Facebook Page every now and then, which makes my day.  I never take a single booking for granted, even now. I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to meet and provide something meaningful for so very many wonderful individuals across so many different care settings, as often as I now do.  If you're reading this and you've booked me for work THANK YOU. For that matter, if you're reading this and you've had a positive impact on my life in any way, THANK YOU!