Up Tempo engages with young people aged 16 to 25 in touch with mental health services in South Staffordshire and Shropshire. Using music as a medium for expression, it aims to increase confidence, enjoyment, health and wellbeing – whilst developing musical skills.
Professional arts organisations, the Hive in Shrewsbury and Make Some Noise in Stafford are working directly with over 100 young people through tasters, workshop sessions and performance.
The workshops have been very successful and the programme has been extended into 2018 with funding support from Shropshire Council.
We are also working with the Samantha Maritza Trust in Staffordshire to bring some of the songs written through Up Tempo to life in the form of a CD. The songs have all been written by inpatients and service users in the community and performed by a mix of the professional musicians leading on the project and the young musicians involved.
With a Big Lottery grant, the CD will be launched and shared at various venues across the region, schools, colleges and shopping centres to raise awareness of mental health and the power of music in supporting wellbeing.
More information about the CD will be available once it is launched!
Up Tempo sessions take place at:
The Redwoods Centre, Shrewsbury (inpatients) - Friday afternoons
The Hive, Shrewsbury (community) - Tuesday evenings
St Georges Hospital, Stafford (inpatients) - Friday mornings
For details contact: Jessica Kent 01743 210048 or email: jessica.kent@mpft.nhs.uk
Feedback: “It’s had a really positive impact on everyone that’s joined in. Going back onto the ward, people are more positive, it’s like waking up new.” Occupational Ward Therapist. “Cannot wait until next week’s session - the best hour I have had in here so far.” - Inpatient
Looking for a Sign – song written and composed by service users on adult acute wards at the Redwoods Centre during February 2017, with support from musicians James Stanley and Kate Allan (Up Tempo).
Searching For A Sign Living The Dream
