Health & Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing column: Creative United's affordable instrument scheme

Financial wellbeing – and its impact on health – is something we've all become aware of in recent years. Sarah Thirtle, director of strategic development at Creative United, describes the charity's work in providing access to affordable musical instruments
Folk and Bluegrass musician Abbey Thomas, a customer of Take it away
Folk and Bluegrass musician Abbey Thomas, a customer of Take it away - Courtesy Creative United

If you're anything like me, you will have spent many, many minutes paused outside a music shop, staring at the instruments in the window display. Being a guitarist, I'm naturally drawn to the shiny and alluring electric and acoustic guitars. After admiring the warm mahogany or vibrant sunburst colours for a while (and imagining myself playing one and what it might sound like), my eyes would invariably move to the price tag. At this point I gulp, say ‘I'd never be able to afford that’ to myself, then walk away.

The relatively high cost of many musical instruments can bring about real feelings of stress and anxiety around financial exclusion. When a child wants to learn the violin, drums or trumpet, no parent wants to deny them that opportunity for joy, development and expression. But as budgets tighten for many, purchasing a musical instrument may well get pushed down, or completely off, the priority list.

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