Music for wellbeing
Since launching in 2022, we've hosted wellbeing walks, music cafés, pop-up events, and community sing-alongs.
We've worked with specialist schools to give young people the opportunity to experiment with music production, helping students to develop confidence, learn new skills, and achieve Arts Award qualifications.
We've joined with choirs and community groups to record songs written by professional musicians, celebrating individuality and inclusivity, with more events and activities planned for 2027 and beyond.
We plan to keep using music to improve wellbeing, have fun, and bring people together!
Heron Music Café
Everyone is welcome at the Heron Music Café!
Taking place at the Lifespring Centre, New Ollerton, these uplifting music mornings have been running since 2022.
Featuring live performances from professional musicians, these events are the perfect place to sing along, have a little dance, or relax with fellow music lovers in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Every session is disability and dementia-friendly and there is no need to book, just drop by and join the fun!
Orchard School Music Project
We're working with Lincoln-based music charity SoundLincs to run workshops with the Orchard School, a specialist school in Newark supporting students with complex needs.
Working with sixteen young people under 18 years of age, this weekly project runs from September to December 2026. Led by SoundLincs musician Jake, the group are using a variety of instruments and music-making techniques to create their own Christmas song, just in time for the big celebration event at the end!
Our partners
Musicians in Unexpected Places
These pop-up events bring the benefits of live music to Newark and Sherwood, adding some spontaneous joy to everyday life.
Working with our partner Musicworks, we take over locations where live music is unexpected, such as local high streets and community centres. Since 2024, we've placed musicians around Ollerton, Edwinstowe, and Blidworth, delighting passersby with a variety of musical numbers.
Song choices are playful and audience-led, featuring everything from classical music to film scores and nursery rhymes. Musicians improvise on the spot, making every pop-up experience unique.
Soundtrack of My Life
This award-winning project aimed to improve quality-of-life care for people living with dementia.
In summer 2026, care home staff across Newark and Sherwood undertook a specialised training project, where they learned how music can benefit the people they care for.
Owen Jones, a professional musician from Musicworks, worked with care staff to learn residents' likes and life histories, writing and recording four songs specially for them. Featuring different musical styles, the final songs were inspired by working in retail, a vicar who loved to boogie-woogie, the joy of dancing, and the sounds of nature.
Musicwalks
Do you ever get the chance to stop and listen to the world around you? Musicwalks encourages you to slow down and pay attention to the sounds you’re missing out on!
In these annual summer events, created in partnership with Musicworks, visitors are encouraged to search for musicians around the beautiful Vicar Water Country Park.
Using a map or following a friendly Musicwalks sound guide, visitors can enjoy the scenery while listening out for a variety of instruments.
Once found, the musicians play guests a tune, sharing the joy of live music with everyone.
Just Be You
Performed in February 2026 as part of the ‘Pride in the Past’ project at the National Civil War Centre, ‘Just Be You’ celebrates queerness and inclusivity.
The joyful and life-affirming song was composed by Newark-based musician and composer Caroline Bonnett and recorded in partnership with Musicworks.
Earlier this year, an open invitation was extended to anyone wishing to join a community choir in recording the song, which will be released on Apple Music and Spotify.