Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise Govanhill centre was delighted to welcome Anas Sarwar, Labour MSP
for Glasgow, to its afterschool programme on Monday 27 January.
The MSP was given a guided tour of the many activities taking place at the centre, where children from local primary and secondary schools learn, practice and perform on a range of string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Sistema Scotland has developed the Big Noise programme over more than 11 years to help transform the lives of children and young people through music. Long-term evaluation of Big Noise by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has shown that the programme helps children to increase their self-confidence, improve resilience, develop their creativity, work better in teams and hone their concentration.
Anas Sarwar, Labour MSP for Glasgow, said:
“Big Noise Govanhill is an inspirational project that is delivering transformational change in Glasgow.
“By supporting young children in the community, the charity is giving the next generation more
confidence, pride and aspiration.
“The skills these youngsters are learning make a positive difference to their life chances.
“No child should ever be left behind, and I’m delighted to support Sistema Scotland’s innovative work
with children in the city.”
Schoolteachers in Govanhill recognise the positive impact of Big Noise, particularly in helping children to understand and use language. In 2019, the Glasgow Centre for Population Health released an independent evaluation of Big Noise – People change lives – which stated that: “School teachers in Govanhill believe that the children who participate in the Big Noise after-school programme gain valuable skills concerning language development; they hear sounds and words which then transfer to phonological awareness, which aids them in blending the sounds and structuring sentences.”
Big Noise Govanhill is supported a range of partners and funders, including Glasgow City Council, the
Scottish Government, Govanhill Housing Association, the Sigrid Rausing Trust and players of the
People’s Postcode Lottery, as well as other individuals, trusts and businesses.
