The idea
Front Street Songs is a project which turns front streets, back lanes, yards, parks and community centres into music venues, and presents family-friendly gigs and activities. We provide instruments for everyone to get involved, and encourage everyone to sing along!
The project was first developed in 2020 during lockdown when many families were feeling isolated; doorstep visits brought fun and community back into peoples lives. With restrictions eased, we trialed a mini community tour. Now we would like to travel to community hubs across the city to bring people together, sing, dance and have families experience live music right on their doorstep!
We would also offer a number of individual family visits for children with additional needs or in circumstances that mean it's harder to attend events.
We will partner with organisations we have existing relationships with, e.g. Back on the Map and Wearside Women in Need and will develop new relationships.
What we'll deliver
- 20 family-friendly community gigs across Sunderland
- 10 family visits across Sunderland
Why it's a great idea
Through the pilot stages of the project, we have seen clear benefits to the families that have taken part. They have told us that our visits:
* increased wellbeing and mental health
* reduced loneliness and isolation
* provided a fun, shared experience for parents/ carers and children
* performances brought streets and estates together to watch the performance
* children and young people who don't have access to music have participated for the first time
Our Front Street Songs Community Tour will allow communities to come together for a free performance in a familiar place, supporting community cohesion and helping people to connect with neighbours and interact with other services that the community centres can offer.
We will also partner with organisations such as More Than Grandparents and Grace House to identify families who may not be able to access performances and provide home visits.
Steps to get it done
- February 2023: begin devising Easter schedule
- February 2023: commission design and print to marketing materials
- March 2023: Publicise tour
- March 2023: Rehearsals
- April 2023: 5 community gigs in Easter holidays
- April 2023: collect feedback and evaluate
- June 2023: begin devising Summer schedule
- June 2023: begin building relationships with new community organisations
- July 2023: Publicise tour
- July 2023: Rehearsals
- August 2023: 10 community gigs in Easter holidays
- August 2023: collect feedback and evaluate
- September 2023: begin devising October schedule
- September 2023: Publicise tour
- October 2023: Rehearsals
- October 2023: 5 community gigs in October holidays
- We will provide 1 day of individual visits per "tour" through working with community partners
What people say about us
“It has been a very anxious, worrying and confusing time and this did so much to lift our spirits. It was the first fun thing since March and was a lovely unexpected treat."
-Participant
"I think your musical visits have been a real benefit and have heard many say they really enjoyed the music. Many of our local people are living alone and don't see anyone. We try to tackle this loneliness and isolation and I know that your music helps. "
Richard Beck, Fulwell Community Library
“It’s been brilliant to see our kinship children having so much fun! They’ve often been through a lot in their young lives and this gives them the opportunity to connect through music and enjoy themselves.”
— Melanie Nichols, More Than Grandparents Director
"It is really moving to see the families having a positive experience after experiencing trauma. The children light up and it's great to see the mums laughing together. It makes a difference"
- Wearside Women in Need
