Hopefully, I am preaching to the converted when I say music is a powerful tool for supporting wellbeing. Music teachers are often regular, kind, trustworthy adults in the turbulent world of growing up today. Music sessions are often a special time away from the day-to-day. Within a musical activity we might find space to explore our stories and emotions, taking this learning beyond words. Further, in these moments of connecting non-verbally, there are strong physical responses which may tell our bodies we are safe.
But for those of us who are the holders of these spaces, this responsibility can become a double-edged sword. When we hear and feel the stories and expressions of others, we also hold and feel their struggles too. At Soundcastle we work in a wide range of settings where people of all ages are dealing with an immense range of challenges. For our facilitators this means being able to hear their stories and explore an emotional musical world in a way which is safe, supported and sustainable for everyone. It often means convening communities connected by mental, physical and social distress and focusing on the music which makes space for rest, joy and connection. During the course of our 13 years on the ground across south-east England, we have come to know that we all deserve these places to play, and that delivering these joyful spaces requires a team of facilitators who can process the struggles they see, be active about safeguarding and have a wellbeing ecosystem in place before a challenge arises.
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