New funding is music to the ears of project

A popular music project for people with learning difficulties in Suffolk has been given funding for a second year.

The Befriending Scheme charity has been given a £9,000 boost from Big Lottery for its MYSOUND project, which encourages creativity and confidence development.

In its first year it was given £50,000 from the Lottery Board’s People’s Project Fund and delivered 47 three-hour music sessions across Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Sudbury, Stowmarket and Haverhill.

Shirley Moore, CEO of the scheme, said: “The MYSOUND Project has been a wonderful success for us and our members.

“We’ve had fantastic feedback from attendees and their carers or family members about how students have been able to express themselves in ways they would have otherwise been unable.”

The eight-week course gives students their own CD at the end with their music on it and they perform their music at a specially arranged concert to their families and friends.

Ms Moore said: “It has brought isolated and vulnerable people together to build friendships and to celebrate the enormously fulfilling effect of being creative.”

For details on the project, call 01787 371333 or email info@thebefriendingscheme.org.uk