05 June 2024 •
[5 June 2024] Local rail operator, c2c, is delighted to announce it has partnered with The Song School in Southend, helping the community education provider in its mission to ‘level access to music education.’
c2c will fund several places on The Song School’s summer and half term courses, as well as helping to keep the students energised by re-stocking their snack cupboard.
The Song School was started by iconic local Southend musician, Louisa Strachan, who recognised the need for extra-curricular music activities from a young age in her own life and how important it is to keep students engaged with the learning process. The school provides children with the opportunity to further their musical education as well as giving them a platform to discover the subject in further depth.
The Song School’s mission is to give children from all backgrounds the opportunity to enjoy music, with the school also estimating that 50% of its students are neurodiverse.
Furthermore, to help level access to music education and offer children the opportunity to enjoy the amazing courses on offer, the school operates a fee system that enables students from low-income families to join the school’s community either free of charge or at a subsidised rate.
Meeting with c2c Customer Delivery Manager, Lee Stanbrook, at Southend Central station, Louisa Strachan, Founder & Director of The Song School, commented on the partnership with c2c: “The partnership with c2c will have a real-life impact on young people in our community. We are extremely grateful not only for the support, but the recognition of our overall mission here at The Song School.”
Meanwhile, Rob Mullen, Managing Director at c2c, added: “Music is one of the most expensive extra-curricular activities in the UK, which is why we are proud to again support The Song School in its mission to provide vital access to music education for young people in Southend.
“According to the US Center for Biotechnology Information*, studies have shown that playing music can have significant mental health benefits for people of all ages so the impact of supporting such a project goes beyond the boundaries of the school’s classrooms, benefiting our local communities.
“We’re also encouraging customers to keep their ears to the ground, as the children from the school will be making a number of special appearances at c2c’s London Fenchurch Street Station over the summer.”
Last year, c2c supported The Song School by sponsoring and providing the use of Southend East station for a new music video (that can be viewed here), which accompanied the song ‘Unity,’ launched by The Song School as part of Project Southchurch’s Hands Together initiative.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About c2c
· c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
· Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 34 million journeys are made on its services every year.
· Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.
· For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net
References
*Music, mental health, and immunity – PMC (nih.gov)
* Unity – OFFICIAL VIDEO – The Song School (youtube.com)
About The Song School
The Song School exists to create communities for music making, accessible for everyone regardless of circumstances. The Song School wants to break down the barriers associated with learning music, including high tuition fees, access to instruments and practice spaces, plus create environments where all children and young people can thrive. The Song School wants all to be able to access the benefits that include improved confidence, self-esteem, mental wellbeing and educational aspirations.
Link to website: thesongschool.co.uk
Contact: louisa@thesongschool.co.uk
Image attached (Song School 3): pictured l-r: Louisa Strachan (Founder and Director of The Song School) and Lee Stanbrook (Customer Delivery Manager)
Image attached (Song School 4): pictured: Louisa Strachan