Saint PHNX aims to host wellbeing music workshop in every school in Scotland
The Lanarkshire brother duo was inspired to give back after dealing with the loss of their father
Kids across Scotland are being encouraged to express their feelings through music, with the help of a Lanarkshire band.
The brothers behind Saint PHNX are hoping to bring a musical mental health workshop to every school in Scotland this year.
Alan and Stevie Jukes, who have toured with Lewis Capaldi, have already visited several classrooms across the country to deliver the 'Happy Place' workshop.
The workshop is offered free of charge to schools because of sponsorship from Parks Motor Group, Black Rooster, AS Scaffolding, and also Prince Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation.
Inspired by their father
The pair wrote a song of the same name after their father passed away in 2021.
Stevie and Alan share their own experience with grief and hardship to give youngsters an interactive experience, allowing them to learn how to cope with their emotions.
They say they have already seen the workshop make a real difference to kids who are going through a difficult time.
'The response has been overwhelming'
Lead singer Stevie Jukes said: "We decided to develop a kids mental health workshop that's for predominantly ages between 8 and 12.
"We've been going about the country, putting on these workshops, teaching kids about our story about losing our dad and how music helped us through that process, but how music can help you through any process in life if you're feeling a bit down.
"The response has been overwhelming.
"In probably every school there is someone in the class that has faced bereavement.
"We are speaking to these kids after the workshop, um, and just having a chat with them and let them know they're resilient and let them know that they're very strong.
"I think that if we can make an impact to not just bereaved kids, but also in general, about how music and community can help you, then that's the part we hope to play."
The power of music
Drummer Alan added that he's witnessed first-hand the power of music in coping with personal grief, explaining how he wept watching the journey of an 8-year-old boy whose mother died and whose father had left.
He added: "We've also been in a few schools where the class has lost classmates and it's been really, really eye-opening in that sense.
"If we can give back in any way possible to give them that escapism, to feel good and give them an uplift and just to show them how music can help you through tough times, that's an added bonus."
To get in touch with Saint PHNX about hosting the Happy Place Workshop, get in touch via the band's social media pages or email hello@happyplaceworkshop.co.uk.
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