On 24th and 25th November 2022 lead trainer Darren Abrahams from Musicians Without Borders. (MwB) took four professional and ten young artists on a practical journey of discovery based on principles and practices of MwB. Trainees learned about the impact of trauma on our bodies and minds and explored how music making, especially singing in community can help healing. Through skilled activities and approaches a safe space for workshop participants and therapy groups to express themselves can be created, and they can begin to experience integration back into their lives again.
Participants received certification for their participation in this empowering two-day training and the professional artists / workshop leaders will now lead a series of ‘Singing for Mental Health and Well Being’ workshops in the local community, drawing on the training, with assistance and support from young artists.
We have had highly positive feedback from all the participants about the training and the song ’Safe Space’ written collaborative by the participants. You can hear Richie’s Demo of the song here.
“Since the training I have a deeper understanding of how music can be used as therapeutic tool.”
Professional Artist
“The biggest change for me since the training has been perspective. Always having in the forefront of my mind that “we don’t meet people as they are, we meet them in their behaviours. We never know what someone has or is going through.”
Professional Artist
“I have found myself becoming more aware of my mood when participating in lessons or workshops, and how it matches to the attic and basement theory that we learnt.”
Young Artist
“What has changed is from learning where I am or where I’ve been mentally or emotionally, or where someone else can be with the Mates House diagram.”
Young Artist
Thank you to Newham Council and Compost London for funding to make this project possible.
