Students use music to open up about trauma
Students at Holy Trinity Catholic School are turning pain into poetry through a new music programme aimed at helping young people process trauma.
The programme, called Hip-Hop Healing, gives students the opportunity to write and record original music about issues affecting their lives, including bereavement, family conflict and mental health.
The initiative, created by art teacher James Bennett, was designed to help young people express personal experiences and challenges through song-writing and performance.
Sessions took place in a recording studio, supported by teachers and music industry professionals.
Sam, 14, said rapping gave him a voice when he felt unable to speak openly about his experiences.
He said: “I wasn’t able to speak about it openly because I was scared about judgement from other people.
“At first, I just wanted to keep it all bottled up... but then I used music as a way that I can say how I feel without openly having to speak to anyone.”
Sam wrote a song about losing his mum and explained that the programme helped him begin to process that grief.
“This project’s helped me with me losing my mum at a young age... this programme's helped me open up more and express myself through music.”
Rozaana, 14, said music allowed her to express thoughts she struggled to articulate elsewhere.
“Music helps me voice my thoughts, my problems, issues,” she said. “It’s another way to voice my opinions - things I’ve got on my mind that I can't really say out loud.”
She explained that singing helped her express opinions and experiences, including challenges she faced with organisation and behaviour at school.
“Singing is another way to voice my expressions, and I'm hoping it can help others too,” she added.
Kade, 12, used his song to reflect on issues he faced earlier in his life.
“It’s helping me cope," he said, "it’s really helpful with my mental health.”
Kade admitted he was usually very nervous, but music gave him a sense of control.
“Music is kind of like a soothing topic to speak about stuff,” he said. “I use music to soothe my nerves.”
He hopes to pursue a future career in music and sees the programme as a step towards that goal.
The project was set up by James Bennett, an art teacher at Holy Trinity Catholic School.
He said the aim of Hip-Hop Healing was to support pupils by using music as a creative outlet.
“It’s about helping kids that have suffered with trauma or gone through any issues at school, so they write music about it.” Bennett said.
He hopes to introduce hip-hop elements into the school curriculum with Hip-Hop Healing currently working on an album focused on mental health and the struggles young people face in secondary school.
Pupils were supported by industry professionals, including music video director Rico, who said his input was about giving back.
“I’m here to help the next generation,” he said. “There's some talented youth in the area and they deserve opportunities like this.”
Birmingham-based grime artists Trappy Self Success and T.roadz also took part, working alongside the students in the studio.
“We're here to support the youth and Hip-Hop Healing,” Trappy said.
T.roadz said the focus of the day was creating music based on students' experiences and encouraging young people interested in the music industry to pursue their ambitions.
“For anyone trying to get into the music industry, I'd just say go for it,” he said. “If it’s in your heart, it’s something that you love, don’t let anybody tell you any different and just strike - nothing can hold you back.”
The Hip-Hop Healing programme is expected to continue, with further recordings planned as part of the wider mental health-focused album project.
