The music group, facilitated by Mike Fulthorpe started in August 2023. The idea of the sessions was to simply create a warm therapeutic space for people to be able to share their thoughts and feelings safely in a supportive environment. Music would always be central, a tool to allow collaborative communication, build connections and to provide an alternative way to express emotions rather than simply talking.
The sessions have developed and have brought people together, creating friendships and musical bonds. We wrote our own song and experienced going into a recording studio alongside shooting a video with our videographer/editor, Katja Stiller. Opportunities later arose to do performances, and the group members have seemed to revel in the feeling of being in a band rehearsing for gigs.
Our first gig, with a totally different line-up (except for Max who’s been with us from the very beginning) played in the 96 bar in Barry, the CVMHT football awards ceremony. It was well supported and was a nerve wracking but very successful first ever concert. Photos and articles about the group emerged in 3 local newspapers including the South Wales Echo and the group received really positive feedback from friends, family, staff and journalists.
After a break, the music group re-started with some new members who very quickly gelled with each other. This brought a new dynamic and inspired new musical influences and talents. There has been some lovely feedback from group members about how important the sessions are to them. Once again we have explored discussion, songwriting, improvising, jamming songs and again new opportunities have emerged. Max has performed at the Cardiff City stadium and through meeting somebody at that event has since recorded his own songs and is gaining studio experience. He has also started working as a volunteer doing music with patients at Barry hospital where he is already a much loved member of the group.
Rhys has started guitar lessons and also started a computer/media course with new doors opening up as his confidence grows. The other participants are consistently attending the group every week, bringing their incredible musical talents and warm personalities to boost the positive energy of the group.
The gig opportunities at Jenner Park and at SWALEC stadium are something that is very new and nerve wracking for the group. However, we are also really excited at the opportunity and for the exposure the band will receive. We hope that people enjoy the performances of “Hope4change” and appreciate how far the members have all come in their personal journeys to reach this point.
Future funding and a long term approach is fundamental in projects such as this. It is proven that continued support can lead to new opportunities for members further down the road. The hope is for the cycle of support to continue, helping as many people as possible along the way. For this to happen, funding is paramount.
Project supported by Vale of Glamorgan Mental Health Support Team with funding from Vale of Glamorgan Council, The Arts Council of Wales and The National Lottery Community Fund.
