Musical chance for young carers (From Salisbury Journal)
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Musical chance for young carers
8:01am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in Headlines By Joel Holt
YOUNG carers from Wiltshire are being given the chance to perform with professional musicians from Bath Philharmonia.
The Listen To Us 2 project will enable 144 young carers to spend five days working with the musicians in the lead up to live performances across the county, including a concert at Salisbury International Arts Festival.
The project is aimed at seven to 18 year olds who have huge responsibilities caring for seriously ill or disabled family members.
It is hoped they will gain confidence and self esteem by trying new experiences.
“We aim to give the young carers an inspirational element to their lives which will put them at centre stage and let them have a voice,” said director of music at Bath Philharmonia Jason Thornton.
“This experience says to young carers that they can achieve at the highest level.”
The project has just received £75,580 funding from Youth Music so it can follow on from its successful series of concerts which took place in June.
Young Carers service manager Niki Andrews said: “Being a young carer often means missing out on extra-curricular activities and feeling anxious about the future.
“We know the project not only inspires but develops aspirations.”
