MC² - the Event Exploring Musical Inclusion and Mental Health Amongst Children and Young People
An event exploring musical inclusion and mental health amongst children and young people, is to take place at Sage Gateshead later this month.
MC² is the first in a new series of mini conferences to be held at Sage Gateshead for Music Leaders, music teachers, project workers and musicians who work with young people experiencing challenging circumstances. The mini conference will provide training and support and increase awareness of mental health issues.
Steve Jinski, Head of Musical Inclusion & Designated Child Protection Officer at Sage Gateshead, is one of the speakers at the mini-conference: “MC² will include presentations, workshops, insights and a panel discussion on the topic of musical inclusion and mental health. Delegates will come away with new knowledge, insight, skills and contacts alongside a better understanding of the safeguarding issues when working with young people that experience social, emotional and / or mental health challenges in musical settings.”
The conference will open with findings from ‘The Good Childhood Report’ published by national charity The Children’s Society. Richard Crellin, The Children’s Society’s Policy Manager recognises that young people’s mental health is of increasing public concern: “It’s often the most vulnerable who suffer. Events such as these are really important as they help spread awareness of the issues young people are facing today.”
NHS Foundation Trust Children & Young Peoples Service INSPIRE Project will lead one of the workshops, there will also be a workshop from Mental Health First Aid who will challenge attitudes surrounding mental health, investigate current models and raise awareness and understanding of the signs of common mental health issues faced by young people.
Joining a panel discussion around the topic of mental health will be Grant Hutchinson from Tiny Changes – the charity set up by the family of Frightened Rabbit singer Scott Hutchinson following his death, to channel the energy he created in people all over the world into positive action on mental health among young people – and Aidan Culley from Help Musicians, an independent charity which provides help, support and opportunities to empower musicians aged 18 and over.
Aidan Culley said: “Help Musicians is looking forward to taking part in the MC2 Mini Conference and we welcome the event’s focus on important issues like recognising signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and mental health first aid. It’ll be great to be part of a positive and educative conversation around mental health, to share ideas around best practice with delegates and to promote wellbeing for musicians.”
The event is part of CoMusica Inclusion Training, a programme funded by Youth Music that is designed to support professionals and organisations develop the skills they need to work through music and creative arts with children and young people who experience challenging circumstances.
The event is part of CoMusica Inclusion Training, a programme funded by Youth Music that is designed to support professionals and organisations develop the skills they need to work through music and creative arts with children and young people experiencing challenging circumstances.
Admission to the conference can be booked from Sage Gateshead and costs £45. A 50% discount is being offered for Music Education Hub staff and music teachers, Youth Music funded organisations and students.
Find out more – sagegateshead.com/whats-on/mc2-mini-conference.
Box Office: 0191 443 4661
This programme is supported by Youth Music through the Alliance for a Musically Inclusive England. The Alliance for a Musically Inclusive England is a movement for change throughout music education. It is a growing network of organisations working together to promote equity in music education, and to support others to do the same, through advocacy, CPD, resources, and strategic alliances. There are 13 founder organisations, led and supported by Youth Music thanks to funding from the National Lottery via Arts Council England. Find out more here: network.youthmusic.org.uk/alliance-for-a-musically-inclusive-england-AMIE.
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For further information, interviews or images please contact:
Gaynor Ellis, PR and Communications Manager, Sage Gateshead
E. gaynor.ellis@sagegateshead.com T. 0191 443 4690
Emily Taylor, PR and Communications Manager, Sage Gateshead
E. emily.taylor@sagegateshead.com T. 0191 443 4617 M. 07793 762 879