The new MP for Glasgow East visited a music and social change programme in Govanhill.

John Grady MP met young participants and staff at Big Noise recently including head of centre Alison Gornall and Vicky Williams, chief executive of Sistema Scotland, which runs the programme.

He was given a tour of the centre and watched some of the music lessons and practice taking place during the after-school session.

He also found out more about how the programme is transforming the lives of children and young people in the area.

Big Noise Govanhill is Sistema Scotland’s second centre and was opened in 2013.

He was given a tour of the centre and watched some of the music lessons and practice taking place during the after-school session. (Image: Quantum Communications Group) It has around 1,100 members and works with pupils from St Bride’s, Holy Cross, Annette Street and Cuthbertson primary schools, Holyrood Secondary School and Shawlands Academy, and with young children at the two nurseries in the area.

It also runs Little Noise sessions for babies and toddlers, as well as an after-school orchestra programme based at Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre.

The centre hosts a free school holiday club, where every child attending is provided with a hot lunch every day.

Big Noise supports young people to 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.

Studies of the Big Noise model have found it improves academic skills in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas, including listening, problem-solving, and concentration, as well as increasing participants’ self-esteem, their sense of belonging, and happiness.

Vicky said: "It was fantastic to welcome John Grady to our centre in Govanhill to show him the positive, transformative impact of music and nurturing relationships on the lives and outcomes of children and young people in the area.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase everything that those we support at the centre have achieved, and they all enjoyed sharing the power and joy of music with their local MP.

"Big Noise helps children and young people reach their full potential by equipping them with vital life experiences and enhancing their academic skills.

"We also know that taking part in Big Noise increases confidence and self-esteem, as well as participants’ creativity, aspiration and sense of belonging."

Mr Grady added: "It was great to visit Big Noise in Govanhill to hear about the fantastic work they do in the local community.

"I enjoyed meeting so many young people of all ages from across Govanhill involved in the programme and seeing their incredible talent and enthusiasm for music.

"Big Noise not only gives young people the opportunity to get involved in music and the arts, but it also increases their confidence, develops their social skills, and gives them a sense of community spirit.

"I’d like to thank Sistema Scotland for hosting me and for the work they do enriching the lives of our young people and helping them grow and prosper."