HEADSPACE Port Macquarie is seeking donations of guitars to help young people hit the right chord.
A group of budding musicians has been learning to play the guitar under the guidance of musician Jamie Bell, a headspaceYouth Reference Group member.
The Chords Program, a partnership between headspace and Ability Links, has been a success with up to eight young people attending weekly lessons.
So much so that the budding musicians will now transition to the intermediate jam session.
That means more guitars are needed.
Headspace community engagement officer Tracie Hazell and Ability Links linker Katelyn Williams saw the need to develop this music program as way to engage young people in an activity that they may not have been able to afford, as private lessons can be quite expensive, and also to offer the opportunity to learn the guitar without having to purchase the instrument.
“It offers young people an opportunity to learn a new skill, to gain confidence, and to find different techniques to handle social situations,” Tracie Hazell said.
“It’s also a soft entry into seeking assistance from services if needed”.
It offers young people an opportunity to learn a new skill, to gain confidence, and to find different techniques to handle social situations.
- Tracie Hazell
Thanks must be extended to the ongoing support from local business Port Mac Guitars which has provided the program with a couple of guitars and St Joseph’s Regional College for a generous donation of $1000 from its Upbeat Festival.
The school donation will go towards supporting the guitar program.
The next Chords program will commence on Wednesday October 12 from 3.30pm to 4.30pm and the Open Jam Session will run from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
Contact headspace reception for more information.
Headspace has put out the call for guitar donations, given the program expansion, in addition to seeking another volunteer to help Mr Bell run the sessions.
Anyone who would like to donate a guitar or volunteer their time to help run the program should contact Nicole Kosseris on 6588 7300 or drop into headspace 10-12 Short Street, Port Macquarie.
The National Youth Mental Health Foundation offers a range of services.
