• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

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Funding from Youth Music enables music programme at local children’s charity

Ahead of National Children’s Day on 15th May, a local regional Children’s charity is sharing its joy at receiving funding to run music sessions for parents and children, for two years.
The service, run by Children North East in partnership with Sage Gateshead, has received £66,665 from Youth Music to provide music sessions during pregnancy and early family life using interactive sessions to encourage the building of relationships and will reach over 170 children during the two years.  Both Children North East and Youth Music receive support from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The music sessions will be added to the charity’s already successful work with parents and families including its Preparing for Baby and Bump Buddies programmes, both of which provide practical and emotional support to vulnerable service users.  With research showing that music enables children to learn at a very young age, the addition of this service will provide a therapeutic environment to promote bonding, relaxation and development.  The sessions for different age groups will involve music making, soothing lullabies and singing alongside informal socialising, helping to develop and strengthen the crucial support networks needed by families.
Lesley Hutchinson, Service Manager at Children North East, said: “This service is a vital element of the work we do within Children North East.  The funding enables us to provide an alternative way of allowing a pregnant mother to bond with her unborn child or a family to learn essential skills to develop their relationship.”
“The work is carried out in Newcastle and Gateshead and covers areas with higher than average child protection statistics and we know this service will help to reduce this.  Working alongside Sage Gateshead is an excellent opportunity for us as well as the families we are working with and will provide a stable learning environment for them.”
Eleanor Mooney, Loud & Clear Programme Leader at Sage Gateshead, said: “The Loud & Clear programme at Sage Gateshead is thrilled to continue working in partnership with Children North East, taking our music making into new areas of the community and sharing new skills and wisdom between our organisations.”

By admin