In 2016 Dundee City Council signed a partnership agreement with Sistema Scotland and other funding partners, including the charity Optimistic Sound.  Together they committed to opening a Big Noise programme for the Douglas Community.

Dundee City Council has so far honoured its commitment, however due to budget pressures, we believe this to be under threat.

This will have a massive effect on the services that Big Noise (Sistema Scotland) provide to the local community in Douglas and in particular the vast amount of children who have been, and continue to be involved in the programme. 

Big Noise Douglas is a big part of the Douglas Community, it has allowed children to develop music skills that they may never have had the opportunity to learn.  

The expansion of Big Noise to the wider community in Douglas has now seen it grow to include Baby Noise where pre-school children and their carers get to experience the music being played and learned and a community choir where parents and other members of the community can come along and sing. Over 500 children experience Big Noise each week, working with children from a few weeks old to S1s. 

But, Big Noise Douglas is more than just music. They run after school clubs and holiday clubs which,  as well as the music tuition and social aspects, provides children with a warm space and a healthy snack or meal, which, in the current cost of living crisis, is vital for some. 

As a parent with one child attending Big Noise after school, I can say that I have noticed a definite change for the better within my child. They are gaining confidence, social skills, team participation, and the discipline required to be able to learn a musical instrument. All of which I think are skills that can be transferred to other aspects of their lives. 

Please sign and share this petition to highlight the major benefits that the Big Noise has brought and can continue to bring to our community.