The award winning Big Noise music scheme has reached more than 500 children in Dundee.
The programme sees youngsters learning to play musical instruments and become part of an orchestra.
It is currently running in Douglas where organisers hope it will improve lives and strengthen the community.
The Big Noise orchestra programmes began in the Raploch, Stirling and have already proved very popular in various other cities across Scotland.
It gives children an invaluable range of life skills and experiences, including confidence, teamwork, resilience, pride and aspiration.
This enables them to become happy, healthy adults and lead
Big Noise Douglas opened in September 2017 and works with children from the two local primary schools, St Pius X RC and Claypotts Castle Primary.
By the end of 2021, Big Noise Douglas was engaging regularly with over 500 children from the community through Baby Noise, Nursery and P1-P3 children during the school day, and P3-P7 children through a voluntary after-school club.
Big Noise Douglas also has an adult Community orchestra.
Dundee mum Gemma, whose daughter Ailidh attends the sessions said: “Ailidh is a lot more confident. She really does enjoy learning the instrument.”
And she added: “The teachers and the volunteers, and everybody at Big Noise, let them express themselves freely and encourage them to be themselves...She’s definitely a lot more confident now than she ever used to be.
“She’s definitely come out of her shell a lot. I find it brings a lot of people together who probably wouldn’t normally be together and helps families maybe meet new families that they wouldn’t have met otherwise.
“So I would definitely encourage anybody to sign their children up.
“It's not just the music. It’s the friendship, the social side, it builds their confidence and it is just great. It’s just great for the kids to be involved in.”
While another Local mum Erika, who’s children Lloyd and Cameron attend the workshops, said: “They’ve become a lot more confident. It makes me really proud of them. It’s opened that door for new friends.”
The Big Noise is co-ordinated by Sistema Scotland.
The charity’s CEO, Nicola Killean, said: “These first-hand experiences from families taking part in Big Noise highlight the vital positive impacts that the programme has on children, their families and the local community in the short and long term.
“We are committed to ensuring the children and young people at Big Noise Douglas will also benefit from these impacts as they continue to grow in the programme and realise their full potential.”
While John Alexander, Leader of Dundee City Council, added: “Dundee has a long and positive track record in using music as a vehicle for making a positive impact on young people’s lives. Big Noise Douglas is one part of that work and it has made an important impact on the Douglas community.
“I was delighted to read the recent research which illustrates this. I've had the privilege to visit the project over the years and it's always a pleasure to see the young people grow over their time with the project.”
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