Music helps children build connections across Sheffield

The Linking Network’s Schools Linking programmes, up and down the country, often collaborate with local arts and cultural organisations to enhance their programmes and weave them more deeply into the fabric of local communities.

In Sheffield, local Schools Linking facilitator Rob Unwin connected with Sheffield Music Hub to explore how School Linking classes could become part of the One Voice Singing Festival and use the power of singing to further strengthen connections across the city.

Our Schools Linking programme helps children connect across difference. The process helps pupils to explore identity, become comfortable with difference and build connections within their local communities.

Schools Linking builds on research about what works to build children’s confidence in contact and positive intergroup contact. One recent aspect of this research is that of  “Synchrony: The spontaneous rhythmic coordination of actions, emotions, thoughts, and physiological processes across time between two or more individuals.”

TLN Researcher-in-Residence, Dr Lindsay Cameron has helped us understand that children taking part in activities involving synchrony really supports cross-group friendships, building belonging and creating a collective identity.   

In Sheffield, the Schools Linking programme, led by DECSY,  running since 2017, has 10 Sheffield schools participating, with fourteen classes linking in total.

One Voice is a singing programme that celebrates belonging, community and shared identity. Schools from across Sheffield perform songs as a mass choir, which builds children’s confidence, encourages teamwork, and creates a sense of belonging.

Bringing the two together made perfect sense.

Children across Sheffield began taking part in Schools Linking activities with a singing twist;

1. Exchanging greetings, artwork and postcards about their favourite songs
2. Holding video calls and joint rehearsals
3. Meeting in person on the day of the performance to take part in some linking activities

The impact was clear. Children from different areas, backgrounds and living experiences stood side by side singing in synchrony, about belonging and togetherness.

 Rory Evans, Assistant Projects Officer, Sheffield Music Hub explained how this, “really enhanced the experience of the children in our One Voice Festival…. We’ve seen children step outside their comfort zones, build friendships across the city and feel proud of their shared identity as Sheffield learners and Sheffield singers. We’re excited to keep developing this work.”

For all involved it has been clear to see how combining singing in synchrony, the transformational power of music, and Schools Linking activities, have helped Sheffield’s children feel more connected and build their sense of belonging