Music Challenge Fund

My Pockets Music

This project is now complete

Increasing wellbeing of young people facing challenging circumstances through writing, recording and playing songs about their lives and experiences

Project information

£149,525

Grant amount

Dec 2018 – April 2022

Project duration

My Pockets Music

Grantee organisation

My Pockets works with young people in Hull and East Riding who face particular challenges in their lives, such as mental health problems or housing insecurity. Through innovative song-writing workshops designed to help them to express themselves and their experiences, the organisation aims to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Spirit of 2012 funded weekly workshops where participants learned to play instruments, composed and recorded music, and learned video-making skills. Eventually, the young people recorded their songs and performed for each other and their communities.

Project aims

  1. Participants improve their mental health and personal wellbeing, and have a greater understanding of how to manage their mental health.
  2. Participants feel they have a voice in and feel involved with their communities.
  3. My Pockets increase their capacity to deliver Arts and Health projects in Hull and East Riding.

Impact

The main thing it makes me feel when I come here is safe. Outside, it feels judgemental, you’re under pressure.

Charlie, Mind Group

my pockets

I’ve got a guitar and my mam paid for two lessons, but they were £70 a time and she couldn’t keep it up, because she had to save up money for a school trip. Then she heard about this.

– Cieron, Child Dynamics Group

Explore similar projects

Visit My Pockets website

For further information