Petr Cech visited music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins on Thursday, to take a look at their newly-refurbished music therapy centre in London.

The country’s only purpose-built music therapy facility houses 'The Arsenal Foundation Music Therapy Room' which has been funded by the club’s Foundation. The centre serves our local communities, welcoming hundreds of people from Islington, Camden and Hackney, and those travelling in from further afield.

With the Foundation’s support, children and young people facing challenges will be able to access high-quality music therapy in the centre.

Petr enjoyed an advanced preview of the facility which will officially open later this month and understood more about the excellent work the charity undertakes to change the lives of vulnerable and isolated people. He even had the chance to play the drums in the centre to appreciate the acoustics inside the newly-refurbished room.

Petr said: "I’m so impressed with the facility, but what’s so special is the work that’s done here with people facing unimaginable challenges in their lives.

The music therapy sessions seem to offer a connection with the outside world for vulnerable people who can struggle with daily life. It offers a window of enjoyment. The players all support The Arsenal Foundation and it’s a privilege to see how the money is used to support people in our community. There’s a real variety of projects in the UK and overseas and seeing the centre today makes me so proud that we can achieve something like this that will help so many people.”

Jo Carter, director of marketing, fundraising & communications, added: "Thanks to The Arsenal Foundation’s support, vulnerable children and young people in north London will be able to access music therapy in our London Centre’s Arsenal Foundation Music Therapy Room; just like football, music can help children and young people with special needs reach their full potential.

"Every day our music therapists and beneficiaries create some truly wonderful moments together which last long after a session. For our beneficiaries, our supporters, and our team, Arsenal’s backing, enthusiasm and contributions are invaluable."

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Nordoff Robbins is the largest independent music therapy charity in the UK, dedicated to changing the lives of vulnerable and isolated people in their own centres and by working in partnership with a wide range of organisations including care homes, schools and hospitals.