A local community project in Teesside is helping people improve their confidence through singing. The Rise Up Project is a singing project created to help those who want to sing but fear singing in front of others.
The project encourages those who have low self-esteem, low mental health, and people who are isolated to attend to help improve their wellbeing, gain confidence, and make friends. Unlike many singing groups, The Rise Up Project is for all vocal abilities, so anyone can get involved.
The Rise Up Project
The Rise Up Project started August 2021 with its first singing group held at Thornaby Market Tavern. Currently there are seven groups across The North East with a group in Bishop Auckland, Darlington, Guisborough, Hartlepool, Norton, Saltburn-by-the-sea, and Stockton-on-Tees.
Each group meets weekly for two hours for a total of eight months.
Founder, Chris Gray
The Rise Up Project was founded by Chris Gray 40, from Stockton who is passionate about singing. Chris started the project because he loves to sing but feared singing in front of others.
Chris said:
“I’ve always loved singing and I’ve more recently got massively into musical theatre, but I just wouldn’t go and sing. So, I kept thinking to myself do I want to go and join a choir or get vocal coaches and I wouldn’t because I was too scared to. So, I had that lightbulb moment, why don’t I get people like myself, together in a room and we’ll all support each other in the journey to confidence”.
Chris also started the project because he wants there to be a safe inclusive space where people can go to who love to sing. Chris added:
“We offer a safe inclusive space where people can come along, get together with a group of people and go through a journey to the stage but with that group of people who are like them essentially and support each other and there’s no pressure, you don’t have to sing, you don’t have to be able to sing, it’s just turning up every week having a sing song. Essentially, it’s just a group of friends getting together, having a sing, and naturally organically growing in confidence.”
The Rise Up Project offers one-to-one singing sessions.
The Rise Up Project also allows people who find group settings to daunting to still get involved through their one-to-one singing sessions.
The sessions are tailored to the individual’s specific needs, with encouragement and support to help build confidence.
Visit The Rise Up Project on Facebook or their website for more information.
You can listen to the interview with the founder of The Rise Up Project below.
