by Author Rebeka Haigh

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Music Makes Lives Better Because... it can offer a new beginning

With the release of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown restrictions coinciding neatly with the arrival of the spring here in the UK, YY&M is pleased to announce that our projects are also therefore able to begin again (safely) soon. As we get going once again, and things return to a new normal, we thought we could take a little time to reflect on why new beginnings, particularly in music education projects, can make young people’s lives better…

We have four projects running at the moment (some after many months away or adapted for online delivery during the pandemic):

  • Our Deaf Instrumental Learning project, which encourages D/deaf children of all ages to take up playing a musical instrument for the first time, with the primary objective of introducing them to regular and ongoing mainstream music lessons with local music service staff, who in turn, learn how to better communicate with D/deaf people in their classrooms
  • Our Mothers and Babies in Secure Settings project, which empowers and encourages social skills and confidence in young mothers who find themselves in secure accommodation with their (very) young children, strengthening the bond between parent and child and reducing the likelihood of these mothers to reoffend
  • Our Young People in Youth Justice Settings project, which uses the latest technology and a range of genres and musical styles to engage young offenders in projects that increase their musical skills, improve their ability to better reintegrate into society and give them a voice and a positive path forwards, often for the first time
  • And finally… Our Music and Mental Health project helps and supports children who are struggling with their mental health to try new (musical) things, encouraging them to build confidence in other areas of their lives…

Whatever the new beginning, our projects are designed to offer a fresh start to children who are the among the most vulnerable and challenged in our region. YY&M is committed to giving these children the opportunity for a new beginning that they may not find anywhere else.

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‘Music Makes Lives Better’ is Yorkshire Youth and Music’s slogan, and is fitting for the work we do with children in challenging circumstances. Music is obviously important for human connection the world over; it is a language that is truly universal. Our series of articles titled ‘Music Makes Lives Better because...’ digs deep each month into the reasons we do what we do here at YY&M. We look at music education from a unique perspective and invite you, our readers, to explore these ideas with us. Please visit www.yym.org.uk to find out more about what we do.