Sound Bites
CHANCES 4 CHANGE*
Improving health and well-being for people in South East England

Communication channels will be opened across the generations through another exciting SongTrees’ initiative, ‘Sound Bites’ – an innovative arts and health programme designed by The Music Mind Spirit Trust.

Exciting intergenerational and cross-cultural events featuring songs, dances and healthy ethnic foods will be shared, as young people learn about their cultural roots through interviewing their older family members and friends. Song, dance and exercise, even sedentary exercise for the elderly, will be delivered to help alleviate psychosocial stress and obesity.

Schools, families and communities in Surrey and West Sussex, including those in which health and social inequalities are prevalent, will benefit by having access to ‘well-being education’ through exciting artistic activities. Health professionals will raise awareness of how a good diet – along with physical and creative activities such as singing and dancing – can work together to enhance our health and well-being at all ages.

The eminent composer, Jonathan Willcocks, has been commissioned to combine 3 generations in song, recalling favourite food, dance and musical memories, as gleaned from the questionnaires. Community centres and schools will be able to engage in rehearsals and concerts. They will work with leading musicians from Yehudi Menuhin’s national training programme, ‘Live Music Now’, as well as with professional musicians & dancers from within their communities.

Cranleigh Prep School is the pilot school for this exciting project.
The performance work will be shaped and brought to life through Shakespearean expert Valerie Doulton and her Live Literature Company. Children will explore Sonnets and write their own ‘food sonnets’ and rhyming couplets. They will then compose their own pop songs inspired by the sonnets, under the guidance of Eastenders’ composer/songwriter, Simon May.

The National Music Manifesto vocal programme, ‘Sing Up’, will be using original songs specially written for Sound Bites by Lin Marsh and Jonathan Willcocks, to promote singing in schools across the nation.

Through SongTrees, the Music Mind Spirit Trust will continue to create its valuable musical/medical/social archive. This research will be utilised to promote well-being amongst children and their families, as well as to benefit those suffering from age-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s. SongTrees is also involved in ground-breaking research into intergenerational music and identity in collaboration with Oxford XXI.

Dr. Chika Robertson, Project Director
November 2008

* What is chances4change?
The chances4change programme consists of 62 projects located in some of the most socially, financially and geographically needy areas of the region. The projects are funded by the Big Lottery Fund which is providing £5.6 million over 4 years to help address health inequalities in the region. They are community driven & focus on three strands of activity - improving mental health, encouraging physical activity & healthy eating.