14/09/2026
🎵 Is school feeling too difficult right now?
For some young people, anxiety, worry, stress or feeling overwhelmed can make attending school incredibly difficult.
This September, Gasyard Development Trust with our partnersCreative Connections, is launching Spectrum of Sound- a new 12-week Music & Creative Wellbeing Programme supporting post-primary young people experiencing Emotional-Based School Avoidance / Non-Attendance.
This is not about being musical, artistic or having to sit in a group and talk about how you feel.
Instead, each week young people will have the opportunity to explore emotions and school-related anxiety in a safe, supportive and creative environment through:
🥁 Music, drumming and improvisation
🎨 Creative arts and expression
🧠 Learning about the brain, anxiety, stress and emotional responses
💬 Gentle conversation and reflection
📔 Journalling and creative reflection
🧘 Mindfulness, relaxation and nervous-system regulation
🎶 Sound baths and time to reset
The programme has been designed to help young people better understand what is happening for them, develop practical coping and emotional-management strategies, build confidence, strengthen connections with others and improve their overall wellbeing.
You do NOT need any musical or artistic experience to take part. There is no right or wrong way to be creative.
Sessions will be delivered by trained and qualified facilitators, including a Music Therapist and Community Musician. Additional needs, communication preferences and reasonable adjustments are considered as part of the referral process.
📅 Every Monday for 12 weeks
🗓️ Beginning Monday 28 September 2026
⏰ 1:00pm – 3:00pm
📍 Gasyard Centre, BT48 6NP
We also actively encourage parents, carers, family members and teaching staff to support a young person’s attendance where this would help them feel more comfortable taking part.
If you are a parent/carer and feel this programme may be suitable for a young person, please speak with the Social Worker attached to your GP Practice about a referral.
We are also working with local post-primary schools and relevant health, education and wellbeing professionals to identify young people who may benefit.
Please note that completing a referral does not automatically guarantee a place. Referrals will be reviewed to make sure the programme is appropriate for the young person, and families/referrers will be contacted regarding places and session details.
Referrals are now being welcomed- contact [email protected] for more information
💛 Sometimes returning to education begins with helping a young person feel safe, understood and connected again.
Please share this post with parents, carers, schools and professionals who may know a young person who could benefit.
