Music and the arts are good for us - making music in a group is fun, playful and creative, it enables children to feel listened to; to connect with their peers; to become more self-aware and aware of others; to feel a sense of achievement and joyfulness; and to make music that truly reflects their worlds and experiences. Led by music therapist Anna Macken, we're hoping to bring the benefits of particpatory music-making into Chichester schools to support our schools community with an anticipated rise in pupils & students affected by trauma during lockdown. We're doing this because we know that making music with appropriately trained musicians offers a safe way for children and young people to express and address difficult emotions without having to find the right words; to express anger, frustration or sadness and for each of these emotions to be acknowledged. The best bit? No musical training or experience is needed - everybody can take part and feel the benefits!

What we'll deliver:

• 10 x 1 hour workshops for up to 16 pupils per term per school. Working with 4 facilitators weekly in school.
• Development of ongoing CPD for teachers in schools to create a sustainable model of music making for wellbeing.
• Sharing opportunities for schools to come together when possible to celebrate & share their music and creativity.

Why it's a great idea:

1) Improved wellbeing in children participating in music making for the benefit of their social, emotional & mental health. "There is nothing like music and art for sparking creativity, tapping into emotions and helping young people understand and develop their own life while navigating that of others". (https://www.tes.com/news/music-invaluable-resource-when-it-comes-childrens-mental-health-and-yet-its-under-attack) We are musical beings. Every one of us has a heartbeat, and in that heartbeat we have a rhythm. Every one of us speaks, and in speaking we have pitch and tone. Pitch, tone and rhythm are the fundamental components of music. 2) We hope to support teaching staff to become confident in delivering an alternative model for making music in school (different to traditional music education) to support the SEMH wellbeing of their pupils & students. 3) Local musicians; workshop facilitators and sound artists will be back in work following lockdown and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Steps to get it done:

• Formally engage schools for the project.
• Formally engage musicians to run the projects in those schools.
• Meet with individual schools to discuss their aspirations for the project and any specific aims or outcomes.
• Delivery of workshops in schools
• Evaluation in partnership with schools as to benefit of music making to mental wellness of particiapting children

We're seeking funding for just one term of workshops for 2 schools. Ideally the project would run across an academic year; for continuity for particpating pupils and students, and to allow us to support participating teaching staff through CPD and experiential training so that the project can continue beyond any funding and be maintained by the schools themselves. As each term passes the number of facilitators would diminish, to enable the school to take over the reigns and so delivery costs also diminish. The initial term of workshops is the most expensive element of the project!