9 minute read
WELLBEING The power of music unlocked
It’s all about the music
WELLBEING SECTION
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LAURA LOFT
How can we help children develop their emotional wellbeing? Through the healing powers of music, says professional music creator and educator Laura Loft
Laura’s book helps children recognise their emotions
You’re a music creator and educator. What does this entail? You tour local schools in Devon. What can people expect from My background is music performance and early on I worked as a singer/ these events? songwriter writing music solo and with bands. Alongside this I was running In February 2020 on World Book Day, Trinity Primary School in Exeter educational music and songwriting workshops for young people with were successful in a funding bid to support a pilot of a whole day of music various organisations such as Exeter Phoenix, Plymouth Music Zone, and wellbeing. This focused around my book Big Emotions and I created DAISI and South West Music School. music, movement and art activities alongside making a wellbeing tool kit.
Currently I work as a music educator within school settings, my main It culminated in a fantastic performance bringing everyone together. This one being Trinity Primary School delivering whole class ensemble teaching has now been developed into a schools activity pack and has just ran as a (ukuleles, boomwhackers, steel pans and more), choir and specialist music UK-wide pilot around schools. projects such as songwriting and music wellbeing workshops. The objectives of the project have always been simple: inspire children
It mainly entails being a ‘joy giver’ and bringing the energy and through music to develop their emotional wellbeing and mental health. enthusiasm for music in Primary schools to engage with music at an early The take-home message is that ‘it’s OK to have big emotions’ and I hope age. With teens, the focus is more on developing their talent, crafting song to encourage this via music. writing and honing performance skills plus building self-confi dence and purposeful music making. What advice would you give parents who want to do more to encourage good mental Tell us about your latest project... Big Emotions: Mindful Music For Little People is a new “The take home health for their kids? I think being open and honest is a good place music wellbeing resource I have created aimed at three to seven year olds. message is that it’s ok to to start from. I try not to hide my own emotions now. It’s important to normalise emotions but After working with many teenagers in a reactive way using music for wellbeing I started have big emotions” using simple language. Of course, if the adult is struggling with deeper problems then it is to think ‘how can we be preventative, to not get really important to fi nd the right support for you to this point?’ So, I thought about creating a wellbeing toolkit for young whether that is family, GP or other therapies. children using the medium of story and music to engage. Describe your book Big Emotions... Witnessing moments where music brings joy and connection to the young The characters are based upon my son Seb, our Cat Milly (who represents people I deliver to. Or when it has really helped in a profound way. It can the comforter) and it follows a journey through our core emotions of be very instant and tangible or it can be slow and steady. I had a student excitement, surprise, fear, disgust, sadness, anger, trust and joy with little who was so shy and taught her for two years. After lockdown she can’t stop ideas and prompts of how to recognise these emotions in order to smiling every time music lessons start and is always engaging and taking regulate them. part. Those are magic moments.
It started as a therapeutic project for myself as I became ill with
What is the best thing about your job? CFS/M.E/Fibromyalgia. I would have little energy so we would sit and Looking ahead? make up stories a lot. Once we can do so safely again, I will be visiting libraries, book shops and
It has been created as a preventative tool to nurture children’s emotional arts venues for Big Emotions readings, workshops and performances. wellbeing supported with musical elements of audio book, soundtracks and Following on from this I’ve got an exciting live music project in the interactive workshop songs including ‘I Am Calm’. pipeline. This will be working with musicians to create a live soundtrack to I then worked with artist/illustrator Nia Gould plus wrote and recorded all the Big Emotions book and visit schools in Devon later on in 2021. ■ the music, audio book, soundtrack and interactive songs myself. For more: www.lauraloftmusic.com
READY, SET AND SPARKLE We asked Exeter hair and beauty experts to recommend one treatment that would help us look and feel our best sparkly selves this winter. This is what they said…
Bubbles are a must, surely
Go bold with bright colours from Mirror Hair Design
Looking your very best in the middle of winter in the UK is not easy. Most of us are dealing with an assortment of dry skin, sniffly pink noses and a complexion that oozes radiators on, box-set binges, and wine and cheese overloads. While you may not be going out-out at the moment, providing a bit of shine or colour to hair or skin can really give you a lift, even if the world and his dog won’t see it. As any wise person will tell you, you take care of your appearance in any which way you want for yourself, not for others. I know people who did their nails every week of lockdown in a different colour, just because it made them feel good. It brought a little sparkle and joy to their lives. So, here is a taster of what treatments you can get locally to get you feeling fabulous this winter.
GO RED Thinking of changing your hair colour? Requests for vibrant scarlet and cherry tones have rocketed recently, with winter being a particularly good time of year to display warming, fiery locks. To get those bright locks, Alice Whale, technician and stylist from Mirror Hair Design, recommends opting for a blended look.
“Some are much brighter and more vivid than the others but they all have one thing in common – that seamlessly blended root.” Mirror Hair Design, 14 North Street, Exeter; www.mirrorhairdesign.co.uk
HAVE A PARTY PAMPER SESSION Energy Hair are putting on a special package for you and a few of your mates. What’s involved? A hair wash, head massage, blow dry, hair treatment of your choice, plus a glass of prosecco and brunch, lunch or afternoon tea at the Darts Farm restaurant. You’ll also get your own
photoshoot with the magic mirror photo booth so you can have pics of your newly improved glossy locks. Go on, you deserve it. Energy Hair, Darts Farm Village, Topsham, Exeter; www.energyhair.com
THE ULTIMATE FACIAL Skin Southwest suggest the Image Skincare Signature Lift which aims to give your skin a much-need boost and promises to last for a good few weeks.
“This treatment combines results-driven layers including vitamin C, hydroxy acids and fruit enzymes to speed up cellular renewal,” says Dr Pradnya Apte from Skin Southwest.
“New technology involving stem cells works to support rosacea and skin prone to redness, with botanical detoxifying and energising complexes offering noticeable results in just one session.” Skin Southwest, 30 Southernhay East, Exeter; www.skinsouthwest.co.uk
REPAIR YOUR HAIR Botanical Repair treatment is a one-stop treatment that repairs, prevents and protects hair from the inside out. You’ll leave the salon with very shiny, swishy hair. See page 52 for the full review. Amanda Marsdon Salon, AVEDA Lifestyle Salon & Spa, 75 Queen Street, Exeter; www.amandamarsden.co.uk
BEAUTIFUL BALAYAGE “The frosty and cold autumn weather can cause hair to dry out and look dull,” says Nicky Mills, owner of The Hair Boutique.
“A balayage brings hair back to life by mimicking the tones of sun kissed hair. During a balayage, your stylist paints colour onto strands of hair freehand, and seamlessly blends lighter tones amongst darker tones to create the sun kissed effect that lasts all through winter.” n The Hair Boutique, Musgrave House, Musgrave Row, Exeter; www.hairboutique.co.uk
Bounteous Bayalage at The Hair Boutique Pretty in pink at The Glam Bar
FESTIVE MAKEOVERS The team at The Glam Bar are poised and ready to give you a party makeover for any night out (or in) you’ve got planned. They also offer lessons in how to do your makeup; perfect for anyone defeated by the prospect of doing smoky eyes
Top make-up tips from The Glam Bar owners Nadia Davey and Yjumye Hurley-Scott •“When creating a flawless base, prepping the skin is key. The more you prep the skin the better the makeup will look and the longer it will stay. Be sure to prep the skin with a good serum, moisturiser, eye cream and primer.
• When it comes to applying foundation, don’t be afraid. We always recommend using a foundation brush to apply the fountain first, then using a damp beauty blender to really push the product into the skin. Take your time blending the foundation for a super flawless finish. Setting the skin with powder around the t-zone area and under the eyes will also help with creasing, longevity and keeping the oil away.
• For creating a festive, Christmas-y eye, glitter on the lid is a must have. Before applying glitter, ensure that you prep the lid with a glitter primer to avoid fallout. Most glitter products have the most impactful pay off when applied with your finger, so pat your finger lightly on the centre of your lid then blend it out towards the inner and outer of the eye.
• Now it’s time to finish off the look with a festive red lip or glossy nude and your festive makeup look is ready to go! The Glam Bar Exeter, 1 Upper Paul Street, Exeter; www.theglambarexeter.co.uk
Swing by The Glam Bar
OTHER SALONS IN EXETER Head Hair & Beauty, 24A Gandy Street, Exeter; www.headhairandbeautyexeter.co.uk The LXS @ Centre stage, 83 South Street, Exeter; www.hairdressers-exeter.co.uk Longbrook Salon, 58-64 Longbrook Street, Exeter; www.longbrooksalon.co.uk Belulino, 4 Roberts Road, Exeter; www.belulino.co.uk Lefroy Beauty Therapy, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.lefroybeautytherapy.co.uk