Music Mentoring

Music Mentoring is a one-to-one programme for children and young people with social, emotional or mental health challenges. The goal of the programme is to help them feel stronger, more confident, and like they belong - all through making music. The key to the programme’s success is a trusting learning environment where children and young people feel safe to be creative.

Children and young people who are registered with a state educational setting or who are being home educated under the support of Dorset Council can access Music Mentoring.

The child or young person’s home address or educational setting must be in our local authority area, the only exception being if the child or young person is under the care of Dorset Council and are resident and educated elsewhere.

About the sessions

Sessions happen once a week. Each weekly session lasts 45 minutes.

The session leader helps the child or young person make their own music. This can be done through using a computer program or by playing real instruments or singing – or a mixture of these approaches. By the end of the programme, the child or young person will usually have created several songs or instrumental pieces.

The sessions can be at home, in school, or at places like youth centres and are held during term time.

Sessions can be requested by:

• parents and carers
• schools and educational settings
• other professionals who support the child or young person

Cost

• 10 weeks online: £420
• 10 weeks in person: £525
• 20 weeks online: £788
• 20 weeks in person: £945

If the child or young person in your care is eligible for Free School Meals, or a Child in Care of Dorset Council, we can apply a 50% remission on these costs.

For information about funding support from other organisations visit our Music Service Supporters page and also the Dorset Community Foundation website.