Music single created to promote wellbeing by University of Chester
A new music single created to promote wellbeing and mental health could be on its way to the charts.
By Chester Standard
A new single created by the University of Chester and a community performing arts group is aiming for chart success while promoting mental health and wellbeing.
Find Your Light was released on Saturday, October 10, to coincide with World Mental Health Day. More than 35 people from the university and Work in Progress Rhyl worked on the track, remixes and accompanying music video.
The project brought together members of the Rhyl-based group with students from the University of Chester’s BA Music Production and BA Acting programmes. They contributed to the songwriting, recording, filming and production using the university’s professional facilities.
The single was created by Work in Progress Rhyl, Jack Eagle and Uosee. The project explored how collaborative music and performance could support mental health, social connection, identity and a sense of belonging.
Ruth Dockwray, associate professor at the University of Chester, said the work was a collaborative creative project that gave participants the opportunity to have their voices represented through the single and video.
Work in Progress is an inclusive performing arts group for adults aged 18 and over. It was founded and is run by Toby Fagan and Leslie Churchill Ward, with a focus on positive mental health and wellbeing.
The project followed a pilot study led by Ms Dockwray, Dr Pamela Barnes and Jim Mason from the University of Chester’s Division of Communication, Screen and Performance. The study examined performing arts as a co-creative approach to improving wellbeing.
The creators are asking the public to download and stream the single in support of its chart campaign. Downloads made by October 14 were due to count towards that week’s chart rankings.
All profits from the release will be donated to Work in Progress and Café71, a Chester-based crisis support centre run by the Spider Project.
Find Your Light, its remixes and the music video are available through major platforms including Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and YouTube Music.