BETTER performance in school, improved self-esteem, greater resilience and healthier behaviours are just four of the fantastic benefits for children who take part in Big Noise Raploch, according to research.

The findings have been published in the latest report by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, People change lives: Consolidating five years of evaluation learning at Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise Centres in Stirling, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Over 130 children and young people performed across Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 June to celebrate 11 years of Big Noise Raploch.

This year, for the first time, the final Big Noise birthday concert of the academic year took place in Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus.

The first generation of Big Noise Raploch participants are now young adults, making critical decisions about life after school.

Forth Valley College was the venue for the event and it played a vital role in the performance.

Forth Valley College students managed the event set-up, A/V, catering and hospitality. Some of the oldest Big Noise Raploch participants now study at Forth Valley College and more plan to begin their studies there later this year.

Vicky Williams, Team Leader at Big Noise Raploch said: “Our children and young people have been practising very hard to prepare for these concerts.

“Over the past year, Big Noise Raploch participants have performed at the Royal Highland Show, taken part in BBC’s Proms in the Park and opened TEDx Glasgow.

“Our birthday concerts are a wonderful way for the children and young people to share and celebrate their hard work and musical skills with those closest to them – their family, friends and community.

“We are extremely grateful to all our wonderful partners and funders of Big Noise Raploch. It is only with their support that we are able to continue working with almost 500 children every week.

“I’d also like to thank the schools we work with here in Raploch, including the high schools in Stirling and Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus – it would not be possible to deliver Big Noise without their support and their commitment to what we do.”