Kids prove how life changing incredible Govanhill centre is

The youngsters met Children’s Minister Natalie Don to show her how important Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise Govanhill centre is.

The programme lets young people reach their full potential by helping them develop vital life skills such as confidence, resilience, creativity, and aspiration, while also strengthening community ties through music and nurturing relationships.

Ms Don was given a tour and had the opportunity to watch some of the music lessons taking place during the after-school session.

The youngsters met Children’s Minister Natalie Don (Image: Sourced)

The minister also met participants at Big Noise Govanhill including head of centre Kate McPhail, senior musician Ed Holmes, and Paul Sullivan, Sistema Scotland’s director for children, young people and communities.

Big Noise Govanhill recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Since launching in 2013, the programme has grown to support around 1,250 children and young people, from babies to S6, as well as their families and the wider community.

Studies of the Big Noise model have found it enhances academic skills including listening, problem-solving, and concentration, as well as increasing participants’ self-esteem, their sense of belonging, and happiness.

Children’s Minister Natalie Don spoke to youngsters (Image: Sourced)

Natalie Don, Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, said: “I have had a fantastic visit where I've been able to see first-hand the impact Big Noise has on the children it works with.

“The project provides important opportunities to widen access to culture and it was clear from speaking to some of the young people involved how much this was valued.

“It’s good to see the results from our support for Sistema Scotland over the last 16 years and we've continued to invest in our young people by providing £2.6 million in 2023/24 to enable Sistema to continue to deliver their Big Noise programmes for the children and communities they work with.”

Paul Sullivan, Sistema Scotland’s director for children, young people and communities, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister for Children and Young People Natalie Don to Big Noise Govanhill to discuss our work in Glasgow and across Scotland.

“The visit gave Ms Don the chance to see and hear first-hand the transformative impact we are having on children, young people and the wider community here in Govanhill.

“We were also pleased that Ms Don had the opportunity to meet directly with young people involved in our youth voice work, and hear about the issues that are important to them.

“We are immensely grateful to the Scottish Government for its ongoing support of our work to improve lives and overcome the effects of poverty and inequality.

“It is clear that Big Noise, through nurturing and supportive relationships, helps children and young people reach their full potential by equipping them with vital life skills and enhancing their academic skills.”