Mental health and wellbeing column: Youth voice in practice

As a new member of the London Youth Choirs (LYC) staff team, it has been wonderful to return to in-person events while meeting for the first time the inspiring young people who make up the LYC family.

As many of the members will attest, the isolation of lockdown was difficult on so many levels, and the sense of relief and joy at returning to in-person singing is palpable. As much as we might try to offer meaningful, social opportunities online, it is hard to replace the simplest social acts that can make all the difference to a member's experience and wellbeing. I have noticed an almost ravenous appetite for social interaction among our members. There is an overwhelming sense of happiness at our rehearsals – from staff and members alike – which is incredibly heart-warming.

However, it is important to acknowledge that the negative effects on members' wellbeing and mental health, brought about by months of isolation, have not simply gone away as restrictions have eased and face-to-face rehearsals have returned. We are doing all we can to make the transition back to in-person rehearsals as safe and as comfortable for members as possible. We have strengthened our pastoral team, put into practice Covid risk mitigation protocol and guidance, and, most significantly, ensured that members know that they can talk to staff about anything they might be struggling with or going through.

The return to in-person rehearsal has been hugely positive for so many members, but it has also presented challenges. We know how important it is to get back to face-to-face singing, and we know what a powerful impact singing in a room full of their peers will have on members' wellbeing and development. It is our job to make sure that all the young people we work with are fully supported on their journeys back to in-person choir.

Small things, like having members contribute to articles such as these, can empower them to open a dialogue around mental health. In doing so, we can actively promote the normalisation of the topic and open up the floor for discussion and sharing between our members and staff.

We try to ensure that conversation and awareness around mental health and wellbeing are not just standalone, tick-box sessions or emails, but instead permeate every decision we make and everything we do as an organisation. Like many other music charities, we only get one or two hours a week with our young people, so we must recognise that our role is primarily one of signposting members to useful resources and organisations, while offering what help and support we can while they are in our care.

We recognise that there is still work to be done incorporating wellbeing further into our musical offering, growing our understanding of the relationship between mindfulness and wellbeing, revisiting our wellbeing-focused weeks, and proactively seeking out collaborative opportunities with other organisations. We will always make sure to keep LYC rehearsals a safe space for conversation around mental health and wellbeing.

For this column, we asked our singers to answer a few questions:

What has it meant to you, and what has it felt like, to come back together as a choir?

‘The feeling of taking the first breath and singing those first notes together after so long apart and “on mute” was one of the most powerful and moving feelings I've ever experienced. Throughout the pandemic we all longed to be back together making music and to come back as a choir and be reunited is the most heart-warming and joyful feelings. I feel as if I'm home again.’ Orla

‘I have been attending LYC for a few years now because I enjoy it so much, even though my voice has changed. Attending Cambiata Boys Choir means so much to me. Although I enjoyed singing together on Zoom, I really missed being part of an actual physical group. Singing with the other boys feels like singing with family.’ Danté

‘I have loved coming back together as a choir. During lockdown, I had no clubs that could transfer online, apart from choir, of course. The videos were very good, but I missed seeing everyone and being able to say hi! Returning to that (even in a new choir as I started Year 7) was really nice and I could hear everyone's voices. It all felt so friendly in a way you cannot feel over Zoom.’ Lydia

‘Being back in choir has helped my mind grow healthy and strong. At school it is hard for me to make friends because everyone has completely different personalities, but in choir we have something we can all relate to. It is a huge joy to be back in choir – not only is it good being back together, but now I have been given more independence, from walking up the stairs and opening the laptop to taking a half an hour journey by bus!’ Julianna

Has your time in LYC helped you to grow as a person, as well as a musician, in any way?

‘Since joining LYC several years ago, it has been the only thing to provide consistency in my life. Knowing that I had LYC rehearsals to look forward to and team pastoral to off load to has made a huge difference and helped me through my darkest times.’ Orla

‘LYC is like a family to me. The staff members are so kind, caring, and considerate. They really try hard to make you feel welcome. They see me as a person who has a lot to offer and not just as a number or a person with issues. The good advice that I received from the staff members helped me when I was going through a difficult time and when I was looking for secondary schools and having to sit lots of exams. LYC helped me to grow as a person and become a lot more sensible and mature, so I was able to face my challenges in a better and more positive way.’ Danté

©Ben Tomlin
LYC members returning to in-person rehearsals

‘LYC is the one time in the week where I truly feel confident in myself and free to be who I am – every week I have the courage to speak to new people and I even got up in front of the choir and conducted, something I could only dream of doing before I came to LYC.’ Arielle

‘My time in London Youth Choirs has helped me to grow in many ways – as a musician but, more importantly, as a person too. It has improved my confidence and developed my teamwork skills, as in a choir you are constantly working to balance each other's sound and factor in the conductor's wishes too. I also think it is great how LYC actively encourages anyone who wants to have a go at conducting the whole choir, regardless of previous experience, to just go for it! This is a really great way of boosting people's confidence and also inspiring people of all backgrounds who may never have otherwise considered conducting choirs as a possible future career, or even as a hobby.’ Emily

Why do you think that being in a choir can be so good for mental health and wellbeing?

‘If you are in a choir, or even just with so many talented people, it can really benefit mental health. Music of any kind is very good for mental health and wellbeing – for example, when I sing, I feel transported to my little cloud of music.’ Catheline

'Being in a choir helps you feel like you belong, and you can communicate with others through blending your voices and growing as musicians together, while making memories that last a lifetime.’ Orla

‘Being in a choir helps me to forget about my problems and focus on good things in life, like music and singing. Singing makes me happy and brings me joy. It makes me smile, and anything that makes you smile must be good for your mental health. Being in a choir definitely helped me during lockdown to deal with the Covid situation. I would certainly recommend joining a choir if you want to be happy – I am so happy and glad that I am part of LYC.’ Danté

‘I truly believe that being part of a choir can be an amazing way of improving health and wellbeing. Firstly, because of the pure joy of singing alongside other passionate and determined young people who are all working towards a common aim. This really binds everyone in the choir together and creates a lovely sense of community and family. I always know that whatever has gone on at school or at home during the week, I can come to LYC on a Monday and it is bound to lift my mood. I always leave LYC feeling energised and ready to tackle whatever challenges the week ahead may bring me!’ Emily

www.londonyouthchoirs.com