The Scottish Government will award £2.5 million to support Sistema Scotland to transform the lives of thousands of children and young people in disadvantaged communities, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced last week.
The four-year funding package will enable the youth orchestra programme to sustain and build on its work to enhance the health, wellbeing and prospects of young people in parts of Stirling, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Sistema Scotland works with more than 1,500 children and young people in Raploch, Govanhill and Torry, aiming to transform their lives, opportunities and prospects by engaging them in Big Noise youth orchestras.
Recognising Sistema Scotland’s proven ability to have a positive impact on the health, wellbeing, skills, confidence and quality of life of its young people, the Scottish Government today confirmed it will expand its support for the programme to 2020, taking total Scottish Government funding for Sistema Scotland to more than £4 million since 2012/13.
Today’s funding package will enable Sistema to work with at least an extra 700 young people across its three Big Noise centres – supporting more than 2,000 overall to engage in the potentially life-changing programme.
Speaking before a visit to Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise centre in Govanhill, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government’s ambition is for Scotland to be the best place to grow up, with every child being given the best chance to succeed. We are committed to investing in early intervention programmes that support our young people, raise attainment, tackle inequality and empower our communities. Sistema Scotland is addressing each of these key priorities and making a real impact.
“No young person’s background should be a barrier to taking part in cultural life or realising the immeasurable benefits that the arts can bring. I want every child and young person in Scotland to be able to reach their full potential and fulfil their ambitions. Through its creative, empowering and energising approach, Sistema Scotland is helping us to achieve this and so much more, transforming the lives of thousands of young people in three of our most disadvantaged communities.
“Independent evaluation has confirmed Sistema Scotland is increasing the confidence, aspirations and self-esteem of our children and young people. This is having a cumulative impact on the health, wellbeing and prospects not only of those directly engaged in the programme, but their families and wider communities too. The £2.5 million I have announced today will support this important work to continue, and to extend the programme’s reach to at least 700 more young people.
“This is a direct investment in the future of more than 2,000 of our children and young people over the next four years and a vote of confidence in Sistema Scotland’s proven ability to unlock the unlimited potential of our next generation.”
Richard Holloway, Chairman of the Sistema Scotland Board, said: “We are delighted by this incredible support from the Scottish Government. It fully endorses the social transformation work done by Sistema Scotland and the Big Noise Centres in the communities they serve. This new investment will not only help us to continue with our existing work, it will also enable us to work intensively each week with around 700 more children.
“The recent study by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health showed Big Noise attendees achieve higher levels of attainment and attendance at school, and have higher levels of confidence, pride and self-esteem. Children and young people who attend not only have the potential to go on and lead fuller and healthier lives, but the programme has the potential to quickly generate greater social benefits than the costs of delivery.
“Big Noise Raploch is regarded as a Centre of Excellence, Leadership and Learning throughout the Sistema movement worldwide. We will now be working with the Scottish Government on sharing our experiences and learning in social transformation.”
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