Children at St John’s C of E Primary School Dorking collaborated with songwriter Ed Blunt to produce their uplifting and heartfelt anthem ‘Let My Colours Shine’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvwigNYbjXc

The song is further released on digital platforms this week, with proceeds going to children’s mental health charities and projects in England

https://localgiving.org/letmycoloursshine

A class of Year 6 school children, aged 10-11, from St John’s C of E Primary School in Dorking, Surrey, had the opportunity to write and record their own song with the help of Songwriter Ed Blunt, Producer Dan Bryer and Community Developer Debs Harrison. The project was initiated and supported by Surrey Youth Focus and Gatwick Airport Community Trust.

The song features the children’s own lyrics describing their experiences of lockdown and how the pandemic affected their mental health. It describes the importance of showing our emotions and talking about how we feel. The result is a song which portrays the ‘children’s voice’ through the struggles of lockdown and their hopes for the future.

One child said, “We can make a difference to other children with our song”, whilst another described recording the song as “one of the best experiences of my lifetime.”

Songwriter Ed Blunt said, “Writing this song gave the children a voice to express their experiences and process what they have been through over the last year. I was blown away by the words and melodies that the children contributed and I’m really proud of what we created.”

Community Developer Debs Harrison commented, “At the heart of Let My Colours Shine are the voices of children, who despite battling through the impacts of the pandemic, show their quest and ability for real resilience and hope. We all hope that vital funds can be raised online to support children’s mental health and wellbeing in England as they climb out of Lockdown”

Headteacher Jacky Fyson said, “This project has been wonderful for our children. Many of them had significant anxieties, especially through the pandemic and coming out of lockdown. After the recording our children were more happy and hopeful about themselves and their futures.”

Surrey Youth Focus commented, “We hear their collective voice through this song - their worries, their experiences, as well as their uplifting message of hope. Their words “shine so bright” being true of every child involved and them believing in what they can achieve individually, as a class and through sharing the song with others.”

With the aspiration of sharing this song to give encouragement and hope to others, the children and team have launched the 'Let My Colours Shine Appeal'. All funds raised will be distributed to charities, organisations and projects which provide vital help and support to children in England who are struggling with their own mental health and wellbeing.

A 'Project Board' has been established with representatives from the health, education, voluntary, community and faith sectors. At the heart of this Project Board will be two child representatives. The Project Board will ensure that all monies are distributed to improve the mental health and life chances of children in England following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Donations can be made online at https://localgiving.org/letmycoloursshine

The songwriting project was initially funded by Gatwick Airport Community Trust and managed by Surrey Youth Focus. Following the song production, the team at media company Design Lynx Ltd have generously donated their services to create a video and social media awareness.