The Harris Trust

Case study

Category:Health

The Harris Trust is a small charity for children and young people based in the Scottish Borders.

The aims of the charity are to:

Raise awareness and provide training around mental health and neurodiversity.
Support the development of mentoring and peer support programmes for young people.
Support the provision of music and sport activities that enhance the educational and social experience of young people with mental health and/or neurodiverse issues.

The Weir Charitable Trust made an award to contribute to one year’s running costs of their music programme called S.P.a.R.Ks (Songwriting, Performance and Recording Kickstarter). S.P.a.R.Ks assists young people with an interest in music who are/have experienced mental health issues and/or issues relating to neurodiversity such as autism, ADHD, OCD.

Music is a language that has no barriers and has the ability to reach all backgrounds. Our programme is interactive, based around teamwork and has a ‘workshop’ type feel that suits the young people’s style of learning. The programme is led by young adult musicians who have ‘lived experience’ of mental health and/or neurodiverse issues themselves which enables students to feel safe and be themselves. Receiving the award from The Weir Charitable Trust has enabled us to expand the project across 4 local secondary schools. Students are preparing songs for a live performance event while also understanding the technical nature of live music and stage work.

Jane Macdonell, Chair of Harris Trust

Gallery

Group of young people supported by the Harris Trust

Application Closing Dates

Late Applications Will Not Be Considered

Friday 28th February 2025 at 5pm

(outcomes advised end April/May 2025)

Friday 23rd May 2025 at 5pm

(outcomes advised end June/July 2025)