County Durham Community Foundation 
Stanley song writing project aims to boost mental health
A STANLEY song writing project hopes to help residents boost their mental health.
Citizen Songwriters has joined forces with PACT House to launch Songs for the Soul, a chance for people to come together and create songs that will be shared on the local community radio station.
PACT House is based in the heart of Stanley and runs a huge range of projects including a food bank, community café, youth provision and more.
Citizen Songwriter director, Alexandra Summerson, said: “I live locally and have been aware of PACT House for a while now, and there’s no better place to approach for this project.
“There’s a lot of science around the positive effects of singing and we hope that those who participate will get a real boost for their mental health. I’ve been involved with local projects like this for a few years now and I’ve seen first-hand that extra layer of positivity that comes from singing as part of a choir.”
Songs for the Soul is funded by a £3,700 grant from the Stanley Community Fund, through County Durham Community Foundation.
The Fund was launched two years ago by County Durham Community Foundation, the Office of The Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner, Stanley Town Council, Kevan Jones and Stanley Area Action Partnership.
Restrictions permitting, the sessions will be held at Pelton Grange Farm, and be specifically for people who identify as isolated or vulnerable because of the pandemic.
To learn more about Songs for the Soul, go to https://www.citizensongwriters.org/projects
