Songwriting Charity announces Guy Fletcher as patron

Nathan Timothy, Chief Executive of the Songwriting Charity said, “A year ago, I decided to consolidate my experience in education and the music industry to help children explore their emotions, friendships, hopes and fears, improving their overall sense of wellbeing, through songwriting and musical expression.”

Nathan added, “It was always about opening up opportunities for children who have no access to this level of support or creativity, helping them to achieve and feel valued, boosting their self-esteem and confidence. It’s been an incredible journey!”

Nathan continued, “Almost one year on, it makes me so proud to announce Guy Fletcher OBE FRSA as our patron. Over the past 18 years Guy has been a teacher, mentor and true friend. We share the same values and understand the importance the art and craft of songwriting can have to aid the emotional wellbeing of young people. Guy's passion for supporting songwriters old and new is legendary and I know his influence and expertise as patron will have a huge impact on our work in the future.”

Renowned songwriter and PRS Chairman Guy Fletcher OBE FRSA said, “Having seen at first hand the results of Nathan Timothy's work with primary school children, I had no hesitation in agreeing to be the patron of the Songwriting Charity. Nathan has an extraordinary ability to motivate children by breathing life into their musical creativity and encouraging them to believe in themselves. Over three thousand children have received this gift already this year and I am proud to be associated with this achievement.”

Since it formed in July 2011, the Songwriting Charity has gone from strength-to-strength, working with more than 3500 children and young people across 130 Primary, Secondary and Special Educational Needs schools. By the end of the summer 2012, children will have participated in 130 songwriting workshops and written more than 145 original songs on a range of subjects from bullying, to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To date the songs have been streamed more than 36,000 times on the charity’s SoundCloud, and their music videos viewed more than 21,000 times on the Charity’s YouTube Channel.

Professional’s evaluations have yielded impressive figures; 97% of professionals reporting they were extremely satisfied with the charity’s work, with 94% of them stating all their objectives had been met. Of note, 83% of professionals had noticed positive changes in the behaviour of the children who participated and engaged in the songwriting workshops, and 100% would happily recommend the Songwriting Charity to colleagues and other organisations. Faye Blain, Sherington Primary School, London Borough of Greenwich commented on our work, saying it was, "possibly one of the best visiting workshops that I have participated in, in over 10 years of teaching. Pupils were open in discussing experiences and were able to show a better understanding of what bullying is. Well planned, fantastic delivery and a great connection with the pupils."

With a number of high profile partnerships beginning to bear fruit, the Songwriting Charity is building on its strong foundations and looks forward to what will certainly be a challenging, but hugely productive future.

Further information can be found on the Foundation’s website: http://nathantimothyfoundation.org