Since 1999, ASMF has been delivering projects to empower people who are or who have been homeless through music-making. Working with day centres and frontline homelessness organisations, our musicians work alongside participants to create and perform new pieces of music.
People experiencing homelessness live in a variety of circumstances – some might be living on the streets, others could be sofa-surfing or living in temporary or insecure accommodation. The individuals we work with experience many challenges and everyday life can be a struggle. Our activities focus on empowerment, taking a gentle approach to building trusting relationships over time to allow participants to flourish. The specific benefits of our approach include:
- Psychological and mood impacts, increasing participant’s engagement with other recovery and resettlement support;
- Increased trust in people and feeling of community;
- Increased motivation by giving participants a sense of purpose and feeling of positive contribution;
- Increased skills in communication which are essential for work;
- Space to feel calm and focussed, building resilience for daily life.
‘The music group is really wonderful for everyone’s spirit. When you’re homeless you can end up so low and the music group is one of the main things that changes how I feel and gives me some motivation.’ Participant, The Connection
We currently work with organisations including The Connection at St Martin’s, The Outside Project and C4WS. If you’re interested in working with us, get in touch.
