First Minister Humza Yousaf recently visited our young musicians at Big Noise Douglas to attend their special concert celebrating the programme's 5th birthday!

Big Noise Douglas launched in the community at the end of 2017 and now works with over 500 children and their families every week. Mr Yousaf watched as children from Big Noise Douglas performed both traditional and modern music and dances. He met parents and grandparents of children in Big Noise, who described the positive impact it has had on them and their families.

There was also a performance from the Big Noise Douglas community choir, as well as face painting, an ice cream van, and a fun educational visit from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The event was held at Claypotts Castle Primary School, one of Big Noise Douglas’s partner schools, where young people were also joined by members of the community and staff and volunteers from the programme to mark the five-year milestone.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “It was a real treat to help Sistema Scotland celebrate Big Noise Douglas’s fifth birthday – and to enjoy the terrific entertainment on the day. I was also grateful for the opportunity to talk to young people and their families about the positive impact that the Big Noise programme has had on their lives. Reducing inequalities and tackling child poverty is a mission for the Scottish Government and we are proud to have supported Sistema Scotland with annual funding since 2012.”

Nicola Killean, chief executive of Sistema Scotland, said: “We are so pleased that the First Minister and his family were able to join us as we marked the fifth birthday of Big Noise Douglas and see first-hand how the programme is transforming lives. Over the last five years, Big Noise has had a hugely positive impact on children and families and Douglas, improving their confidence and wellbeing and helping young people reach their full potential. The concert itself was a huge success thanks to our young participants who put on a spectacular performance, and they should be extremely proud of themselves. Events like this one is what Big Noise is all about – celebrating the positive achievements and potential in our communities.”