Ex-Labour chief adds string to her bow with children’s music role

Dugdale to join former SNP politician on board of group promoting orchestra scheme in deprived areas

Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has joined the board of music charity Sistema Scotland.

Also joining the former Harris Academy pupil on the board, which runs Big Noise Douglas in Dundee, is former SNP MSP Andrew Wilson.

Sistema Scotland works to improve the lives of children growing up in some of Scotland’s most deprived areas through its orchestra programmes.

More than 2,800 children take part at its centres in Dundee, Raploch in Stirling, Govanhill in Glasgow and Torry in Aberdeen.

Research by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health since 2013 has found that children who take part have increased their confidence, discipline, academic skills, happiness, sense of belonging and fulfilment.

The Big Noise programme is particularly focused on early years’ intervention and long-term delivery.

Each new Big Noise centre begins by working with children at nursery and in primaries one and two, gradually building on core skills such as listening, concentration, rhythm, rhyme and teamwork while learning to play an instrument in a group. As children progress to primary three and beyond, Big Noise evolves into an intensive and immersive programme of afterschool and holiday club music teaching, performance and social interaction.

Ms Dugdale, who stood down as leader of the Scottish Labour party in 2017, said: “Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise programme is already helping close to 3,000 children develop a range of both musical and non-musical skills, improve their self-esteem and forge friendships with their peers.

“Our young people deserve the very best support to truly believe in themselves and to reach their full potential. I’m looking forward to being part of Sistema Scotland and helping the charity to reach even more children and communities.”

Mr Wilson said: “Sistema Scotland has impressed me hugely as a charity that is about economic inclusion.

“They demonstrate the pivotal role of the creative sector in helping meet the very real economic challenges we now face. This is about helping each other live better lives but is also about the bottom line of economic inclusion.”

Benny Higgins, chairman of Sistema Scotland, said: “I am delighted to welcome Kezia and Andrew to the Board of Sistema Scotland. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organisation, as well as a huge commitment to meaningful social change.”

Ms Dugdale was appointed director of the John Smith Centre for Public Service at Glasgow University this summer.

Mr Wilson, a former finance spokesman, is also a trustee of the centre.

“Our young people deserve the very best of support to truly believe in themselves and to reach their full potential. KEZIA DUGDALE

Picture: Jeff Holmes. Kezia Dugdale and Andrew Wilson have joined the Sistema Scotland board.