An orchestra made up of young carers from across Bath and North East Somerset recently travelled to Westminster to perform at the House of Commons.
Young carers from Bath and North East Somerset in London for the event
The orchestra performed music created with Bath Philharmonia to an audience of MPs, peers and industry professionals.
The performance was part of an event organised at the invitation of MP Wera Hobhouse to celebrate the work of Bath Philharmonia and the impact of music-making on young carers.
The event was attended by Shadow Minister for the Arts Barbara Keeley MP, Baroness Bonham-Carter, and Liberal Democrat carers’ champions Wendy Chamberlain MP and Munira Wilson MP.
Bath Philharmonia is the only professional orchestra in the UK that delivers a year-round transformational programme of creative music-making residencies for young carers.
Since 2009, Bath Philharmonia has enabled over 1500 young carers from across the South West and beyond to co-create and perform their own music.
Jess, a 12-year-old carer said: “Normally, I just don’t know how to express myself and I just try and get on with my life. The music helps get it all out.
“I can’t believe that we got to go to Westminster, and everyone there thought our music was fantastic!”
Jess is one of almost 800 young carers supported by The Carers’ Centre (Bath and North East Somerset).
Its young carer service provides emotional support, and activities enable youngsters to take a break from their caring role.
Jason Thornton, Music Director of Bath Philharmonia said: “Music is a powerful tool that can help us cope with all kinds of emotions and we’d like to enable as many of the 800,000 young carers in the UK as possible to discover their own creativity through great orchestral music.”
The Lib Dem MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse, said: “It was an absolute privilege to welcome Bath Philharmonia’s young carers orchestra into Parliament.
“These incredible children treated us to an inspirational afternoon while raising awareness of the challenges they face and how music can help them overcome these barriers.
“Too often, young carers are overlooked in national plans, and I am committed to supporting them in music education settings nationwide.
“These brave young people give so much and deserve opportunities to relax, develop, and find time to make friends, all through the power of music.”
