Noise Solution case studies

Nineteen-year-old Sophie said her experience of Noise Solution, an internationally recognised social enterprise providing digital youth work, was ‘simply amazing’. She has gone from often struggling to leave home, to preparing to play a live gig...and credits Noise Solution and her tutor, local musician Jay, for helping her to fulfil her potential.

Just a few months ago, Sophie, from Ipswich, had been in hospital with various mental health issues, andtraditional art and music therapies had not made an impact. But she says her life has been ‘saved’ since beingreferred to Noise Solution.

“The Noise Solution sessions were amazing, and I will remember it for the rest of my life,” said Sophie. “It reallyhas saved my life. It’s not therapy, and that’s why it worked for me. It is about human connection, and music –some sessions we just talked, others we were jamming away to Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

“It’s helped me to be more confident and to realise my potential. I’m grateful that I’ve had the opportunity toexperience it, and I’d like to help raise awareness of it because I want other people to be able to try it as well.”

Sophie was paired with Ipswich musician Jay, former bass player of Suffolk band Rosalita. She has always lovedsinging, song writing and piano, and has now had the chance to explore drums, bass guitar and 12-string guitar– as well as learning about the technical side of producing music.

“My tutor Jay has been great – I say tutor, but the sessions are very informal, which is the reason I like it so much,” she said. “What I like is that the sessions aren’t always about me. It’s not that traditional power dynamic that you get in therapy, it’ more human.”

Mum Patricia said: “Sophie has learnt about music in a fun way, and we’re so incredibly grateful to have had thisopportunity. It was by chance that we found out about Noise Solution, and it turned out to the perfect fit.

“Sophie shares what she does on the online platform, and we can see what they do in the sessions - she is justlaughing all the time! It gives young people an opportunity to get out and about and do things. It has beenwonderful.”