“In their own words”
The best way to understand what we do is to hear it from the people who’ve lived it.
The sessions made me feel like I had a purpose and it has inspired me to join college studying music. Before the sessions I felt nervous and didn’t know what to expect, after the first week I couldn’t wait for the next session. I recommend this to anyone even if — like me — you have had no prior knowledge of making music.
— Programme participant
More voices from the room
“I’d been struggling with my mental health for a long time and I’d stopped going out. The sessions gave me a reason to leave the house each week. The group felt safe straight away — no pressure, no judgement — and by the end I was looking forward to seeing everyone. It’s the most connected I’ve felt in years.”
— Programme participant“I never thought music was something for me. Within a few weeks I’d built my own track and played it back to the group. It sounds small but it changed how I see myself — I’d spent so long being told what I couldn’t do, and here was something I’d actually made.”
— Programme participantCase study
From withdrawn to performing — James’s story
James (name changed) was referred to Play North West by his support worker after months of social withdrawal following a mental-health crisis. He’d disengaged from college, was rarely leaving his flat, and described himself as “switched off” from things he used to enjoy.
He joined our 12-week flagship programme nervously and almost dropped out after week two. The facilitator paired him with a peer mentor, and by week four he was leading on track selection for the group set. Field recording sessions in his local community gave him a reason to be outdoors again — something he later described as the turning point.
By the final showcase James performed a live DJ set to an audience of forty people, including his family. Twelve months on, he is enrolled on a Level 3 Music Production course at college and now volunteers as a peer supporter on our newer cohorts. His self-reported wellbeing score improved from 3/10 at intake to 8/10 at exit.
Name and identifying details changed to protect participant privacy. Outcome data drawn from pre/post wellbeing surveys.
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