There is an ever growing body of evidence around the impact of the arts on health and social issues. As a pioneering residential community for women and their children takes shape in Southampton, we are proud to be involved from the very beginning.
As part of One Small Thing, Hope Street – being built now on the Avenue – is committed to systemic change for women and their children in the justice system. It will provide gender specific residential community services and a new, trauma-informed purpose-built environment, designed with women and children at its heart.
We have been working with the team to provide singing opportunities for women this spring. The current singing programme of 12 sessions started in March and will run until May 2022 from the One Small Thing premises on the Avenue. Around six women attend each session and they are being supported to find their voice through exploring vocalisations and singing. The sessions help to build a support group, network and positive relationships, as well as improving confidence and general wellbeing. After this programme finishes, we’re excited to begin running a 12-week beginner ukulele programme, too.
.Penny Valentine, Head of Wellbeing and Community at Hope Street said,
“Hope Street is very fortunate to have Kate from SoCo Music working creatively with women in a vocal group. Often women’s voices are silenced, this vocal group gives women the opportunity to make noise, use their voice, have fun, and connect with other women. We are looking forward to future partnership opportunities with SoCo Music for when Hope Streets open early 2023”
We are looking forward to continuing our work with Hope Street and are enjoying hearing these women’s voices, as they find them. Find out more about the Hope Street project here .
