The CSO brought the programme into Christchurch Women’s Prison for the first time in August and, over the course of six weeks, musicians worked with a group of voluntary participants on music-based projects that were created especially so that the women could share them with their whānau. They included singing children’s songs like Wheels on the Bus, Frère Jacques, and One Day a Taniwha, learning to play Maile Lei on the ukulele and composing a song to sing to ukulele chords. Some of the women, who had babies, brought them along to the sessions so they could sing and make music together.

The programme focused on using music to build relationships, especially between the women and their families as well as the musicians. As a part of the programme, there was plenty of opportunity to share songs with the group. “It was nice to hear everybody sing the same song as I do my baby,” said one participant. “I felt calm and content.”

One of the women, upon seeing that her baby enjoyed playing on the drums, created a drum for him out of a milk carton.

The CSO has been working in Christchurch Men’s Prison for a number of years now and their programme always culminates in a performance however the women participants wished to conclude the six weeks with a workshop that was extended to their loved ones who were visiting on that day.

“As musicians, we’re all about sharing our love for music so it was fantastic to see that the women involved in Platform wanted to do that as well” says Cathy Irons, CSO First Violin and one of the mui. “There was a real of sense of accomplishment and it was really special to see the women achieve this and then share it with the people they care about the most.”