Making Music

Street Arts Project brings music to the homeless

Street Arts Project is a community group set up by Jackie Lines, Doug Armstrong and Chris Musson to support the homeless in Stratford upon Avon. The project began when the volunteers identified the growing needs of these vulnerable people and the need to raise awareness of their increasing difficulties.

Funding from Stratford Town Trust has enabled weekly street music sessions to take place at Stratford Playhouse where those affected by homelessness can share their experiences through music. They are supported to write their own songs and perform them with the help of professional musicians and the group also perform and make recordings of their work. The result for many who attend is an increase in wellbeing and confidence.

Like being in a family

The impact on the attendees has been significant, with one saying: "It is like being in a family, all helping and understanding each other. It makes me feel safe and has helped with my sense of self-respect."

“Without the significant amount of funding from Stratford Town Trust, Street Music would not have been able to progress. The generous fund has facilitated 46 weekly events, two concerts to showcase the work of the participants and the production of a CD with four days in a professional studio to provide evidence of work achieved.”

Doug Armstrong

A sense of pride

Participants have learned to work as a supportive team, take guidance and structure from the Tutors and have developed an enhanced level of self-esteem and personal belief. Their confidence has been increased, their ability to commit and attend at a set time and date has been introduced, and a sense of pride has been created when they identify the positive results of their work: “I now have the opportunity to express myself, to share my emotions and opinions, plus learn how to play the guitar.”