In 2023, Emerging Voices received funding, from the Community Mental Health Transformation Grant Programme 1, to support their project in partnership with Converge at York St John University. The project aims to enhance wellbeing for adults with lived experience of mental ill health through the power of music.
Now in its third year, the project offers one-to-one instrumental and vocal tuition at York St John University, alongside an open-mic session and a small acoustic concert. Emerging Voices has also helped deliver performances at Foss Park Hospital and supported participants from Converge’s online songwriting course to record their work.
Tutors are currently working with students learning piano, saxophone and singing. Interactive performances at Foss Park Hospital are helping bring music into healthcare settings.
The funding has made it possible to deliver sessions safely and inclusively, with the right staff, space and support in place. This helps people reconnect with learning and community life through creative expression.
A clinical lead from the Discovery Hub (Converge), NHS-seconded Occupational Therapist team said:
“Access to individual music tuition helps people rebuild self-esteem and confidence, move beyond an identity centred on diagnosis, and we observe fewer hospital admissions as people regain purpose.”
With support from the grant managed by York CVS, participants are finding renewed purpose and connection through music and community.
About Emerging Voices
Website: https://emergingvoicescharity.co.uk/
This round builds on the 2023–2025 programme, taking on board what we’ve learned, responding to the changing needs of our communities and working together with people who have lived experience and professionals across York.
The deadline to apply is Wednesday 22 October 2025, 12pm.