With the release of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown restrictions coinciding neatly with the arrival of the spring here in the UK, YY&M is pleased to announce that our projects are also therefore able to begin again (safely) soon. As we get going once again, and things return to a new normal, we thought we could take a little time to reflect on why new beginnings, particularly in music education projects, can make young people’s lives better…

We have four projects planned for renewal in 2021:

• Our Deaf Instrumental Learning project, which encourages D/deaf children of all ages to take up playing a musical instrument for the first time, with the primary objective of introducing them to regular and ongoing mainstream music lessons with local music service staff, who in turn, learn how to better communicate with D/deaf people in their classrooms
• Our Mothers and Babies in Secure Settings project, which empowers and encourages social skills and confidence in young mothers who find themselves in secure accommodation with their (very) young children, strengthening the bond between parent and child and reducing the likelihood of these mothers to reoffend
• Our Young People in Youth Justice Settings project, which uses the latest technology and a range of genres and musical styles to engage young offenders in projects that increase their musical skills, improve their ability to better reintegrate into society and give them a voice and a positive path forwards, often for the first time
• And finally… Our Music and Mental Health project helps and supports children who are struggling with their mental health to try new (musical) things, encouraging them to build confidence in other areas of their lives…

If you are interested in linking in with any of our projects, please feel free to contact us to discuss how we can support the children YOU work with.

Whatever the new beginning, our projects are designed to offer a fresh start to children who are the among the most vulnerable and challenged in our region. YY&M is committed to giving these children the opportunity for a new beginning that they may not find anywhere else.