We’re pleased to share the story of Emerging Voices, a York-based music charity supporting adults who have experienced mental ill health to build confidence, develop friendships and improve their wellbeing through music.
Through a range of inclusive musical activities, Emerging Voices provides welcoming, supportive spaces where people can express themselves, learn new skills and connect with others.
Connecting communities through music
At the heart of Emerging Voices is the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy making music, regardless of their experience or ability.
The charity offers a variety of activities across York and Yorkshire, including wellbeing choirs in Harrogate and Selby, Ghanaian drumming, music workshops, songwriting and opportunities to perform and record music.
These activities help people build confidence, develop friendships and improve their wellbeing, while bringing people together through a shared enjoyment of music.
Celebrating creativity with Emerging Voices Records
As well as providing opportunities to make music, Emerging Voices celebrates its musicians’ creativity and achievements through Emerging Voices Records.
The charity shares original music and recordings with a wider audience, giving people the opportunity to discover and enjoy the music created by its participants.
Listen to Emerging Voices on Bandcamp
Music and wellbeing activities
Emerging Voices has several music and wellbeing activities taking place across Yorkshire, including:
Ghanaian Drumming – York
Funded by the Fortus Foundation, these friendly, supportive workshops offer adults with experience of mental ill health the opportunity to explore Ghanaian drumming, develop musical skills and connect with others.
The current course is fully booked, but enquiries are welcome for the waiting list for future courses.
Find out more about Ghanaian Drumming
Harrogate Wellbeing Choir
This free, inclusive wellbeing choir welcomes adults with current or previous experience of mental ill health.
Supported by National Lottery Awards for All, the sessions provide a friendly, relaxed environment where participants can enjoy singing, meet others and build confidence through music.
The choir meets at Wesley Chapel in Harrogate. Contact Emerging Voices for details of upcoming sessions.
Find out more about Harrogate Wellbeing Choir
How York CVS has supported Emerging Voices
Through our Voluntary Voice newsletter, Emerging Voices has been able to stay informed about local opportunities, resources and ways to connect with the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
It was through Voluntary Voice that the team discovered our Share Your Story initiative and decided to get in touch.
By sharing their story, Emerging Voices hopes to raise awareness of their music and wellbeing activities, reach more people who could benefit from their work, strengthen local connections and encourage greater community involvement.
We’re delighted to help them share their work with the wider community!
Find out more and get involved
Emerging Voices would love more people across York and Yorkshire to discover their work, support their activities and learn how music can make a positive difference to mental health and wellbeing.
To find out more about their activities or opportunities to get involved, visit their website or contact Laura Jones.
Website: www.emergingvoices.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Listen to their music: Emerging Voices Records on Bandcamp
Share your story with York CVS
This story was shared with us through our Share Your Story initiative, which celebrates the people, projects and organisations making a difference across York’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
Does your organisation have a story to share?
Whether it’s a new project, an achievement, a community initiative or something you’re particularly proud of, we’d love to hear from you.