Programme has been shining light for youngsters

Big Noise Raploch is celebrating as it marks its 13th year.

As well as the birthday , it has been marking all it has achieved over the past year, including a return to face-toface teaching both in school and at the centre’s muchloved after-school club.

The team also continued to provide support and digital music tuition for the children and young people involved in the programme. To date, Big Noise Raploch has provided almost 3,000 online lessons to participants since the beginning of the pandemic, supporting children and families during this difficult time.

Over the past month, the children have been having fun at the Big Noise Raploch holiday club. There has been high levels of engagement this summer with over 80 children and young people from over 90 families attending the holiday club most days.

This week the children are excited to be working with musicians from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. This is a continuation of the strong partnership between Big Noise Raploch and the BBC SSO, offering an amazing opportunity for the Raploch participants to learn from the renowned orchestra.

There have also been lots of outdoor activities at the holiday club, with the children playing together in the sunshine and enjoying breakfast and lunch together.

Over the past year, Big Noise Raploch has been running online Baby Noise sessions and sharing ‘Wednesday Wee Ones’ videos on Facebook. Through this provision, Big Noise Raploch has helped to support local families with babies and toddlers throughout the pandemic.

The organisation, which started in 2008, involves around 500 children from infancy to S6 age from the local community.

A wide range of partners and funders support it including Stirling Council, the Scottish Government and players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The music education and social change programme and its symphony orchestra become a community which supports children and young people to gain vital life skills. These include confidence, resilience, creativity and aspiration.

Through music and nurturing relationships, Big Noise supports participants’ wellbeing and helps them reach their full potential. The programme also aims to strengthen the communities where it is based.

Vicky Williams, head of centre at Big Noise Raploch, said: “We are delighted to have been able to resume face-to-face teaching this year as well as continue to provide digital music lessons for our participants. I am so proud of our Big Noise Raploch team and all of our children and young people for all they have achieved over the past year. Their hard work, enthusiasm and dedication has been remarkable.

“I also want to thank all the schools that we work with, our partners, funders and the community of Raploch, who constantly inspire us and also make this all possible.”

Maggie Hutchison, local community member, said: “I’ve had three children go through Big Noise and it’s been life-changing for all of them.

“It’s helped them develop a real belief in themselves and what they can go on to achieve.

“The lockdown was tough. It would have been so easy for them to end up stuck in the house, not seeing anyone. Having the Big Noise lessons and all the other online activities helped to keep them busy and lifted their moods. We were all at home together during the lockdown and they were all playing their instruments together and practising every day. It was a tough time, but Big Noise made it so much better for all of us.”

Stirling Council oversees the local authority’s partnership with Sistema Scotland.

The council’s community planning and regeneration convener Councillor Chris Kane said: “The Big Noise has adapted fantastically during the ongoing pandemic to ensure our children and young people could continue their music tuition and develop a wide array of skills.

“While everyone on the programme won’t be able to enjoy their normal birthday concert due to the current restrictions, they should celebrate and be proud of their hard work, commitment and achievements during a hugely challenging year.

“I can’t wait to see our talented Big Noise performers live in concert again – and hopefully that time will come around soon.”