Placement student Fraser helped one young child tackle his fears, concerns and build on his relationship with his mum, all through the power of music.
Fraser joined our Positive Transitions service on placement from Queen Margaret University, and has been providing support in schools around Edinburgh and the Lothians, assisting children, young people and families in the transition to secondary school. Through the power of music therapy, Fraser helped Ewan conquer his anxieties and fears and open up to his peers about life outside of school.
Our Positive Transitions service spans a wide range of interventions that offer support both on a one-to-one basis and through group projects, including arts therapies. We provide holistic support and youth work that allows children to have a healthy and smooth transition from primary to secondary school.
Fraser specialises in music therapy, sing sounds, songs, and instruments to help children share their thoughts and feelings. Some children struggle with being active participants in therapy and may find it difficult to open up to those around them. Music therapy lightens this often-difficult challenge as it doesn’t always require verbal input, making it easier at first for children who may struggle to communicate in that manner.
No two sessions are the same, meaning that Fraser can tailor his groups to the mood, energy, and communication patterns of those involved.
Play through playlists
Fraser primarily supported two schools during his placement. At one of these, his music therapy sessions helped Ewan, a 12-year-old child currently in the care system who struggles with his confidence. He rarely sees his parents and did not feel comfortable sharing his feelings with those around him.
Ewan was recommended to join People Know How’s music therapy group running in his school to help with his difficulty adjusting and settling into the new school environment. Fraser’s goal was to create a safe space where the children could share their feelings and identity through their favourite songs and sounds. But Ewan’s unique personality and taste in music meant that he didn’t feel like he fit in and felt isolated, so Fraser spoke with Ewan and his care worker to set up one-to-one sessions that would give Ewan his own space where he could share without concern of his peers.
Through the sessions, Fraser could support Ewan by finding that songs that would allow him to approach his feelings, such as songs that make you happy, put you at ease, etc. This helped Ewan find a way to share his emotions, experiences, and concerns by associating them with songs within a playlist that correlated with each feeling.
Sharing sounds
Through their weekly sessions, Fraser and Ewan built a strong bond through music, with Ewan able to use it to confide in Fraser. Near the end of sessions, Ewan even shared that he wanted to make a playlist with his mum and use that to build a new relationship with her, expressing himself in a way he couldn’t before. Teachers also reported a more settled Ewan, who was interacting with those around him and settling into schoolwork.
Positive Transitions provides invaluable support to children, young people and families across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Our arts therapies sessions give children access to the support they need in a space catered to them. Our collaboration with universities across Scotland continues to impact those who need it most.
Whether you’re a student, or someone looking to volunteer as a Youth Support Volunteer, you can brighten a young person’s day by joining our team below.