Music fixes broken BRITAIN -- Gary Payne

March 6, 2009 - PRLog -- History has proven that music is a powerful communication tool. For thousands of years people all over the world have used music to communicate with each other, be it for religious and spiritual reasons or just as a way of sending a message.
At a time when an individual is starting to develop their identity and learn how to express themselves, young people often turn to music as a way of telling those around them how they feel, what they like and of course what they do not like.
It is fitting then that music is the perfect tool for fixing broken Britain.

Whatever the reasons for the decline in social standards and the increase in youth related violence and anti-social behavior, music is a brilliant medium for activating positive change within our communities.

Life Skills for Children and MAMAA Wales are using music as a way of connecting with young people and then creating a positive step towards educating them in some preventative measures training to increase their personal safety skills and ability to understand how to avoid a potentially dangerous situation involving a weapon.

The Life Skills for Children (LSFC) programme educates young people in those basic skills they require to know the difference between right and wrong, increase their personal safety and learn how to communicate correctly with those around them both at home and in school.
The programme is easy for children of all ages and abilities to grasp, and to teach to younger children. The success of the Kids Teach Kids element is the power of the peer group and the effect of positive role models (that is the older child). Life Skills for Children was created to complement a number of government initiatives including Every Child Matters and Healthy Schools, and can be implemented during general class time, or as part of a school’s PE, PSHE or drama curriculum. It also aligns with the national drive to establish leadership and skills opportunities for children.

MAMAA Wales was founded by Dee Edwards to campaign on behalf of families who have lost their sons and daughters to violent crime and to educate young people in the dangers of carrying weapons. After 16 years of dedication to the cause MAMAA has successfully worked with over 600 families and are recognised as one of the leading specialists in their field. The positive impact of MAMAA was recognised in the 2009 New Year’s honours list where Dee received an MBE.

MAMAA Wales have developed a very powerful and effective educational programme called PROTECT & RESPECT, which educates young people in the real dangers of carrying weapons and the negative affect youth related violent crime has on families, the young people themselves and the wider community. This powerful presentation is a very effective tool alongside the LSFC programme as together we have the opportunity to provide both a preventative and post traumatic service to young people.
A recent event in which both LSFC and MAMAA Wales attended used music as a way of engaging young people and allowing them to express their thoughts through their music. The project was a great success and as a direct result of the event, LSFC and MAMAA / Protect & Respect are speaking to a production company to establish a project called “The Kids are our future tour”
The objective of the project is to unite the music industry and provide concerts, talent spotting competitions and a musical drama tour around schools which will be used to allow young people to engage with the very important subject of personal safety and youth related crime and
anti-social behaviour. By utilising music as a means of sending a message and uniting young people we will have a platform to start educating them in some proven and very successful educational programmes.
An important part of the project is to provide an opportunity for young people to demonstrate their talents through music and acting. A musical / drama encompassing some very powerful story lines and a variety of musical genres will tour the UK and educate drama groups and schools in the production, so young people everywhere will have the opportunity to show case their talents within their own communities and learn some very important messages on the way.
Gary Payne from Life Skills for Children said “Educating young people is the key to controlling and improving the youth problems within the UK. We are calling on the music industry and those influential people within it to realise that through music we have the power to activate positive change and when we attach good, practical and simple educational programmes to the music we can fix what the media call broken Britain”.

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Enquiries:

Gary Payne, LSFC Programme Director M: 07725 481769
Dee Edwards MBE, MAMAA Wales / Protect & Respect M: 07973 166970
JJ, Red Caravan Music Promotions T: 01749677444
M: 07739126794

Notes for the Editor:
Life Skills for Children and Protect & Respect provide specialist training programmes designed to make a positive difference in children’s lives
What are we?
• A preventative measures programme for children aged 5 -16 years old of all physical abilities
• A non-physical programme teaching children personal safety and communication skills
• Creates better communication between teachers, children and their parents
• Fits with Every Child Matters and Every Parent Matters
• Fits with Healthy School, emotional and well being initiatives
4.1 support of vulnerable individual
4.2 Clear leadership
4.5 Combating stigma and Discrimination
4.6 Bullying Policies
4.8 Confidence and self esteem
• Fits with schools sports participation initiatives
• Fits with cross-curriculum dimensions
For additional information please visit www.lifeskillsforchildren.co.uk

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Life Skills for Children provide educational programmes for Children aged 5-16 years in social responsibility, knife awareness, personal safety and communication skills. Taught within Schools, Sports Groups and Social Clubs. DVD tuition for Worldwide.

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