Mikeysline’s Bee The Change Choir raises its voice for mental health at Belladrum

Mikeysline’s Bee The Change Choir took centre stage at Belladrum this summer, delivering a powerful and uplifting performance alongside Scots singer-songwriter, Callum Beattie.

The charity’s ambassador, who closed the first night of the Tartan Heart festival, invited the young singers to accompany him on his mental health inspired hit ‘Something In My Eye’.

It’s another major music milestone for the choir having supported Peat & Diesel at last year’s Black Isle Belter and more recently sea-shanty sensation Nathan Evans and the Saint PHNX Band at The Northern Meeting Park in Inverness.

The original ensemble was created by Charleston Academy pupil support assistant, Diana Lennan, alongside Highland Council Youth Development Officer, Nikki Mowat, as a safe, supportive space where young people facing mental health challenges could connect through music before forming a partnership with Mikeysline.

A second choir intergenerational choir was established in a partnership between the High Life Highland Leadership Programme and Mikesyline, bringing together toddlers from Auldearn Nursery, teenage Young Leaders from Nairn Academy, and residents ofSt Olaf Care Home.

Mikeysline’s Bee The Change Manager, Allana Stables, said: “The Bee the Change Choir is about so much more than just singing. It’s about finding your voice, having the confidence to use it and knowing that you don’t have to face things alone.

Seeing the choir perform at Belladrum was a special moment. Every single person on that stage should be proud of themselves – they were fantastic and showed exactly what can happen when people are given a safe space to grow, connect and be heard.”

For more information about Mikeysline visit www.mikeysline.co.uk.