News, events and schools' information for families across Bath and West Wiltshire

Voices for Life is a new music and wellbeing children’s charity based in Bath and created during the pandemic in response to the increasing deterioration of mental health and wellbeing in children.

To mark the launch of the charity, an online video is being released on Thursday 4 February in support of Children’s Mental Health Week. The video will be introduced by world renowned conductor and composer, John Rutter, and features a recently formed virtual children’s choir who will premiere the newly composed Voices for Life song.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has been tough on us all and we cannot overestimate the huge impact it is having on children,” said Tessa Armstrong, Co-founder of Voices for Life. “Voices for life will provide support through the provision of singing, music, and confidence coaching programmes for primary school children to help build self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, and confidence and enable children to continue developing healthily in all aspects of their lives throughout the pandemic and beyond. To support the programme a brand new ‘oratorio’ is currently being composed, which will hopefully be performed in Bath Abbey by choirs from primary schools across Bath, Somerset, and Wiltshire later in the year.

“Setting up a charity during a pandemic has definitely had its challenges but we are now ready and so excited about our forthcoming singing and wellbeing projects to support children through these challenging times.”

Shean Bowers, who founded the charity with Tessa, added, “I believe that a love of music is one of the greatest gifts we can give children. We want to bring the joy and positivity of singing together to as many children as possible.”

For more information, visit www.voicesforlife.org.uk