Hopefully, I am preaching to the converted when I say music is a powerful tool for supporting wellbeing. Music teachers are often regular, kind, trustworthy adults in the turbulent world of growing up today. Music sessions are often a special time away from the day-to-day. Within a musical activity we might find space to explore our stories and emotions, taking this learning beyond words. Further, in these moments of connecting non-verbally, there are strong physical responses which may tell our bodies we are safe.
A wide range of settings
But for those of us who are the holders of these spaces, this responsibility can become a double-edged sword. When we hear and feel the stories and expressions of others, we also hold and feel their struggles too. At Soundcastle we work in a wide range of settings where people of all ages are dealing with an immense range of challenges. For our facilitators this means being able to hear their stories and explore an emotional musical world in a way which is safe, supported and sustainable for everyone. It often means convening communities connected by mental, physical and social distress and focusing on the music which makes space for rest, joy and connection. During the course of our 13 years on the ground across south-east England, we have come to know that we all deserve these places to play, and that delivering these joyful spaces requires a team of facilitators who can process the struggles they see, be active about safeguarding and have a wellbeing ecosystem in place before a challenge arises.
Mutual support and learning
We have learned that effective support for one member of staff at one time may not be the golden bullet for everyone. We also learned that supporting mental health is something that happens before, during and after moments of crisis. This is a personal, nuanced and ongoing conversation. From a personal perspective, my biggest learning is that however senior or experienced I get, I still need to be held by others to truly process and reflect on the work we undertake. I also need to be a leader who is ready to hear what my team is dealing with, and support them in turn.
At Soundcastle we have both proactive and reactive support in place. We ensure paid collective and individual reflection time is part of everyone’s contract, so we financially hold the space for staff to think. It’s so easy for team days and meetings to become places to push out information, but often a well-facilitated discussion can tell you so much about your staff’s knowledge and help them learn from each other. Within our Sparking Change programme for music leaders aged 18–25, we often hold co-working spaces that support members to write, think and act with the accountability of others.
Structures for wellbeing
Our wellbeing action plan is also a key document that helps staff and managers discuss support needs and challenges at work proactively. This document is held by the individual and shared as they choose. It supports staff to be proactive and have a voice in how adjustments and support might be undertaken. It also allows us as managers to open the conversation about mental health before a crisis hits. Further, all staff have a termly confidential meeting with an external supervisor to reflect on their work/life experience. This can address immediately challenging moments, but is helpful whatever has been happening – that is, even when all is well. A key part of wellbeing is recognising the good days and special moments too!
When I asked our team who was holding them, all the answers were about being and feeling connected and seen at work. As our facilitator Kate Golledge explained, we need ‘people who have a shared understanding and humour about the highs and lows of working in the creative arts and of holding space. They remind me to take care of myself, offer perspectives and reflections, and provide practical advice too. There’s a real sense of collective support and it makes me feel like I’m not facing challenges alone.’
It can be tough to own that music education can be a lonely place. As both organisations and individuals, let’s keep building a wellbeing ecosystem that supports us all together.
