HVO Funds new music therapy room for young people in Singleton

A new music therapy room for young people in Singleton is one of the six community projects that local mine, Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) is funding through its latest round of community grants.

Singleton based Detour Youth Services will use the funds to provide a music program that gives young people a creative outlet.

Manager Chris Giles said the room will be in its Mary Street premises. He will use the funding to purchase different musical instruments and devices that will give young people who are disengaged from school or community access to a broad range of musical experiences. 

Music is a great connector

“There are local young people with musical talent but it needs to be encouraged and supported,” Mr Giles said.

“Our music therapy room will be a safe, welcoming and judgement free place for young people where they can do something that is meaningful to them. This can help to address the problem of young people who are at a loss or ‘bored’ from not engaging at all or engaging in anti-social behaviour.” 

“Music is a great connector. We will provide a team of mentors with expertise in music to help young people to identify and broaden their skills.” 

“Our organisation is about engaging, equipping and empowering young people in Singleton that are seeking direction and purpose. We want them to be thriving and living happy, healthy and full lives.”

Mr Giles expects the program to start in Term One 2025. He said it will be open to people from surrounding areas with Detour Youth Services able to provide transport within a 30km radius of Singleton. People wishing to register their interest should visit Detour’s Facebook page or phone 0499 276 857.

The other projects HVO is supporting are:

• Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s Upper Hunter Charity Golf Day
• Gazebos and iPads for the Bellbird Cricket Club
• New signage for the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre
• Samaritans Singleton’s Christmas Eve Lunch
• Singleton Fire Brigade Social Club’s annual Santa lolly run.

About HVO’s Grants Program

HVO environment and community officer Nic McLaughlin said these projects are on top of the 20 projects HVO funded in the first round of its grants for 2024. 

“HVO funded a record number of projects in our first grants round earlier this year and have funded a total of 26 projects in 2024,” Mr McLaughlin said.

“This round of grants will help several key service providers continue their great work supporting our community as well as spread some Christmas cheer,” he said.

“Our grants program is about helping not for profit organisations such as Detour Youth Services access funding for smaller scale projects or that develop community capacity to build positive and lasting social and economic benefits.”

Since 2018, HVO has provided $520,000 to 116 programs or projects. This is in addition to funding for its charity partnerships, the Jerrys Plains Public School Ready4School program and its workplace giving programs.

HVO’s next community grants round will open in April 2025. For details visit our Community page.