North Wales Music Cooperative Founder Nominated for Major Award

The founder of the North Wales Music Cooperative, Heather Powell, has been nominated for a prestigious award recognizing her significant contributions to music education in schools. Powell is a finalist for The Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation Wales Care Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care, part of the Wales Care Awards. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in Cardiff on October 17.

The North Wales Music Cooperative, established in 2015, was formed in response to cuts in music education funding for peripatetic teachers in Denbighshire. Since then, it has expanded its reach to Wrexham and Conwy, providing music lessons to children in mainstream, specialist, and home-schooling environments. Currently, the cooperative serves approximately 7,000 students weekly and employs over 90 freelance musicians.

Powell expressed her commitment to providing music access for all children, regardless of their financial situation. “The cooperative has always been about ensuring that every child has access to music, irrespective of their financial background, whether they are in care, or whether they have additional needs,” she stated. She emphasized the profound impact music can have on the well-being and mental health of vulnerable children.

The cooperative began as a grassroots initiative aimed at preserving music education in local schools. Over the years, it has transformed into a substantial organization, involving more than 100 people and reaching thousands of young individuals. Powell reflected on the journey, noting, “If somebody had told me that 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have believed them.”

Support for Powell’s nomination comes from various quarters. Councillor Mark Young, chair of the cooperative and member of Denbighshire County Council, praised her unwavering dedication. He highlighted that the organization has delivered an estimated 500,000 lessons to young people over the past decade. Young remarked, “Heather has never given up, despite all the challenges. She is a force of nature and a real inspiration.”

The Wales Care Awards, organized by Care Forum Wales, aim to honor the often-overlooked heroes of the social care sector. Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, noted the importance of recognizing the contributions made by individuals like Powell. He stated, “The event underlines the importance of the social care sector. It is the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.”

As the awards ceremony approaches, the recognition of Heather Powell’s efforts highlights not only her individual achievements but also the vital role of music education in fostering a sense of community and well-being among children in North Wales.