Youth music project 'boosts mental wellbeing'

Project M is a youth music project for young people aged between 12 and 17

A project is helping to improve young people's wellbeing through music and mental health support, its lead said.

The Core at Corby Cube runs Project M in a converted retail unit in the Willow Place shopping centre in Corby, Northamptonshire.

The scheme, which started in 2022, is open to 12 to 17-year-olds and sees around 20 participants attend each week.

Joe Flavin, director of Project M, said: "Mental health, particularly after the pandemic, comes up an awful lot. Often, poor behaviour is linked to mental health concerns, and that's what we work to address here. The kids seem to really like coming here."

Joe Flavin said a lot of young people's mental health concerns are dealt with informally in the space at Project M

Participants at Project M are given access to high-end music equipment and instruments, with the chance to perform live at The Core theatre.

They are also supported by musicians, drama teachers, and drama therapists.

Aspiring DJ Wiktor, 12, said: "Me and [DJ partner Kyle] call it our little kitchen because we're cooking up beats.

"I've gotten pretty good... when I'm 18, I want to be a professional DJ. I want to be the best."

After learning to DJ at Project M, Wiktor now has ambitions to become a professional DJ

Another attendee, Emily, writes and performs her own songs and said: "It's crazy. I just came one week and thought, 'I'm going to write some lyrics'.

"The next week, I had a full song."

Mr Flavin added: "A lot of creative intervention in the arts, particularly for young people, is about building their confidence and resilience. [At Project M], they can engage on their own terms.

"There's a nice, loose, relaxed atmosphere. A lot of kids respond to that."