Wild at Heart Community Arts, which is based in Melbourne, has been running programs in Ballarat for the past three years in partnership with a range of mental health services.

The workshops cover the writing, recording and performing process in a safe and friendly environment, where participants are able to develop their self confidence and self expression along the way. 

Wild at Heart artistic and managing director Phil Heuzenroeder said even in a matter of weeks the experience could be transformative for people. 

“I remember one man couldn’t even say his name on week one, he had so much trauma and anxiety being around other people,” Mr Heuzenroeder said. 

“By the end of a mere four weeks he had written a song, he was singing publicly with us, he was quite changed.” 

Mr Heuzenroeder said music and songwriting were powerful tools because they incorporated joy, life and storytelling. 

“Music speaks and carries stories and emotion in a way that other forms, such as speech, don’t,” he said. 

“It unravels mysteries about each other, which enables audiences to see the real person behind what can be a highly stigmatising and isolating life experience.”

For some participants, the program is their very first experience creating music, while others go on to be mentored and managed by the program and paid for professional gigs.

“It’s fun, it’s accessible, and whether or not you’ve ever considered writing a song, we have really skilled facilitators that will make that possible,” Mr Heuzenroeder said. 

 "The sense of achievement and acknowledgement in crafting a song from your own ideas and story can be very powerful.”

The program begins on Friday, October 20, and runs weekly from 12-3pm until December 8 at the Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts. 

For more information visit info@wildatheart.org.au or contact Alice Kirkbride on 0434 269 025.