13.12.2021
In the second episode in a series of 9 monthly workshops, people with lived experience of mental health challenges worked together with musicians and RPO project leads to create music and song that we called ‘Coming in from the cold’. Just as well, as it was a very cold evening but that didn’t deter the delivery of creativity and energy of all those in attendance. Whilst we provide a range of support to people experiencing mental health challenges, the opportunity to demonstrate one’s creative talents was a joy to witness. We clearly have a number of musicians, singers and poets amongst us, and we thank the RPO for giving us this chance to show our skills and talents in a fun, welcoming and warm environment. We are all looking forward to the next 7 months as we continue to create music and give voice and sound to our talents.
Research has shown that music can have a positive effect on mental health, and working with others on creative pursuits is one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing championed by the World Health Organisation. At each session, we get the chance to meet professional musicians and a professional workshop leader, and work together with other participants to create brand new pieces of music and song. We are supported to devise melodies, lyrics, rhythms and styles for your pieces, expressing our thoughts, feelings and emotions. No prior musical experience, thankfully!, is required to take part and all genres or types of music are welcome. Instruments are provided, but we can bring our own if we want.