Leeds music group boosted by £35,000 grant

YAMSEN is a charity dedicated to providing high quality musical activities for children and adults with additional needs in the Yorkshire region.

The group has been given a grant of £35,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

This figure will enable them to celebrate the bi-centenary of the Leeds Liverpool Canal with over 200 pupils from four Specialist Inclusive Learning Centres (SILCs) across Leeds.

The project was launched at Leeds Town Hall earlier this week as part of the Beyond Festival.

A spokesperson from YAMSEN said: “This will be an exciting opportunity for artists and musicians, special school staff and pupils to learn together about their city and the contribution the Leeds-Liverpool Canal to its growth and development, creating a lasting memory and resource for the future.

“Throughout this project we will be working with over 200 pupils who have additional needs.

“Many of them pass the canal everyday and don’t realise it’s there.

“We hope that this project will raise their understanding and awareness of its presence and contribution to the life of the City of Leeds.

“We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop this project with Leeds children who have additional needs.

“We believe using music dance and art will help open these children’s eyes to their surroundings and the remarkable heritage all around them.”

To find out more about the group, visit the website at www.yamsen.org.uk.