2.9 C
West Bridgford
Saturday, February 15, 2025

Lullaby praise for pioneering Nottinghamshire music project in West Bridgford

Music sessions for mums and their babies in local libraries have been singled out for top praise.

 

The weekly Lullaby Bank classes were pioneered and set up a few years ago by Rachel Parkes, assistant music director of Nottinghamshire-based “Music for Everyone”, and herself a mother of two young children from West Bridgford.

The first Lullaby Bank was set up by Rachel at Beeston Library, in partnership with Inspire, which runs Nottinghamshire’s library network. The idea has been so successful with mothers that they are now held at seven libraries, including Bingham and Cotgrave.

lullaby bank photo x 2 scaled
Music for Everyone’s chairman John Hess with Lullaby Bank’s Rachel Parkes and Nottinghamshire County Councillor Kate Foale.

That prompted Councillor Kate Foale, Leader of Nottinghamshire’s Labour Group, to visit one of the sessions at Cotgrave Library to see it for herself.

- Advertisement -

Rachel explained how academic study has highlighted the well-being and health benefits of mums singing to their babies.

“The classes are specifically designed for the needs of new mothers, and it’s a chance to relax and bond with your baby in a calm space,” Rachel told Councillor Foale.

Lullaby Bank photoi x 1
Rachel Parkes runs the Lullaby Bank session at Cotgrave Library.

The hour-long lunchtime sessions are free, and require pre-booking because of their popularity. Councillor Foale told Rachel how impressed she was with the Lullaby Bank idea.

“It was clear that gentle singing and play were having a big impact, their smiles and body language showed that very well,.

“Some of the mums may be at risk of suffering from post-natal depression or anxiety. This early intervention can have a real beneficial impact.“
said Councillor Foale.

The current weekly Lullaby Bank sessions run up to the end of November.

The chairman of “Music for Everyone” John Hess said:” The Lullaby Bank was an early partnership success for MfE and Inspire, and I’m delighted Inspire has taken on the scheme to other libraries in Nottinghamshire thanks to funding from Arts Council England.”

Further details on the Inspire web site : The Lullaby Bank series Autumn 2024 | Inspire – Culture, Learning, Libraries (inspireculture.org.uk)

Follow The Wire on TikTok, Facebook, X, Instagram. Send your story to newsdesk@westbridgfordwire.com or on 0115 772 0418

Categories:
 

 

Latest