The Song School launch project on Canvey Island

The Song School is heading to Canvey Island in August to deliver a music holiday project for 10-16 year olds.

The Feelgood Project is a collaboration between The Song School and Northwick Academies Trust who manage three Schools on the island. Supported by Ewan’s Music Trust and Essex County Council’s Arts and Cultural Fund, the project aims to create messages of positivity and unity that uplift the youth of Canvey Island, helping them to move towards better life outcomes. 

Canvey Island has all of the Castle Point districts' top five most deprived areas. The level of deprivation means children in Canvey face significant disadvantages from the start.  There is a higher than the average number of children living in low-income households - meaning access to extra-curricular activities, projects and programmes are far less likely and they do not benefit from the sense of belonging these types of initiatives can bring. 

The Feelgood Project name is taken from the band Dr. Feelgood, one of whose founding members was local music icon; Wilko Johnson. He lived on the Island and is one of the artists that makes up Canvey Islands rich musical heritage.

Of the project, Founder/Director of The Song School, Louisa Strachan says:

“ We are thrilled to be taking our ethos of levelling access to music education to the children and young people Canvey Island”

The project itself will bring together children and young people aged 10-16, from low-income households, interested in music making, exploring themes that represent living on Canvey; thinking about what they like, the places they enjoy and ultimately uplifting their outlook on the place in which they live. With the final output being a new original song and accompanying video, to be released to audiences through digital streaming sites and showcased via YouTube. 

To find out more about the project, click here - https://thesongschool.co.uk/latest-workshops/feelgood