Children's confidence soars in music sessions

Youngsters said the music sessions at the village hall in Stillington had helped them make friends

Children have been gaining confidence and given the chance to express themselves through a music and song-writing project funded by BBC Children In Need.

Judith Turner, the secretary of the Friends of Stillington Village Hall, in County Durham, bid for funding for youth music sessions because there was little for children aged seven to 13 to do and she felt it would give them a "good start" in life.

"It's a big world to approach, but they need that confidence to get through," she said.

Country music singer and songwriter Hayley McKay runs the group with singer Dave Neil Crabtree and said the sessions were "therapeutic and a real confidence boost".

The group meets at Stillington Village Hall every week and is working towards staging performances throughout the year.

Ms McKay said she wanted youngsters to be "out the house and getting off their iPads, just being able to be a kid".

"You're not young for a long time in life," she said.

Hayley McKay said the sessions were "therapeutic and a real confidence boost"

Izzy, who takes part in the sessions, said they were "just really fun".

"It's built my confidence and I've made so many friends through it," she said.

Freya, 10, said taking part had helped her improve her social skills.

Another group member, Tilly, said: "I really like coming here, it helps your singing and you get your voice really good, your breathing gets really good."

Judith Turner put a bid in for funding so children in the area could have their lives enriched by music

Ms Turner said her "vision" was to create a group for any child to join in the hope "they go home happy and excited and probably can't sleep".

Children In Need 2025 airs live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Friday at 19:00.