Big Noise Programme helps family build a new life in Glasgow through music

A mother who moved to Glasgow from Dubai with her two children has told how a ground-breaking music and social change programme helped her family build a new life in the city.

Reem Merencilla moved to Govanhill in Glasgow in 2018 with her two children Al Monzer and Asmaa Ahmed, who were then 9 and 7.

They joined the Big Noise music programme, which offers free after-school music lessons and support to people in the area, and said taking part transformed their lives.

Reem said it gave her children a safe place to go after school and during the holidays, meaning she was able to complete a Master’s degree, as well as supporting her two children to make friends, discover new skills and become part of the community.

She said the programme ‘takes the stress away’ from starting a new life, and gave her children opportunities that helped them learn and grow.

Al Monzer, who plays the clarinet, and Asmaa, who plays the flute, have both performed onstage with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and at the Scottish Parliament and have travelled all over Scotland performing with Big Noise.

Big Noise is a high-quality music education and social change programme. It sees children and young people learn music after school, creating a community symphony orchestra which helps them gain vital life skills such as confidence, resilience, creativity, and aspiration.

Run by the charity Sistema Scotland, there are six centres supporting a combined total of around 4,000 children and young people across Scotland, including Douglas in Dundee, Torry in Aberdeen, and Wester Hailes in Edinburgh, as well as the original Raploch group, Fallin in Stirling and Govanhill in Glasgow.

Big Noise is designed to strengthen the communities where it is based and develop relationships with participants and their families based on mutual respect, trust and a commitment to work together and tackle inequalities for the long term.

Through music and nurturing relationships, from infancy to adulthood, Big Noise supports participants’ well-being and helps them reach their full potential.

Reem now has her sights set on setting up her own social enterprise to encourage entrepreneurship in communities like Govanhill.

Reem Merencilla said:

“I think if my kids weren’t involved in Big Noise I would still be struggling. It was a big relief that they were able to adjust and make friends. It is a very diverse community. They never felt inferior – everyone was very friendly. It has helped me make friends too.

“I didn’t expect that they would grow this much. Big Noise really helps a lot of kids and parents. They have been to different places, met people in different cities and performed for different people.

“I recently passed my Master’s degree at Strathclyde University. Big Noise kept all my children busy so I could study.

“It helped me a lot. It is hard to move to a new place. Big Noise helped me and my kids. They made friends, they became part of the community, and they grew in confidence. My daughter was not very good at speaking to people – she was very shy and nervous. Now she talks to anyone. Even I am surprised at her confidence.

“I enjoy the concerts. The music – how it all comes together – surprises me. It sounds very different to the sound of them practising in the house. I am always amazed.

“It takes the stress away. I don’t feel the stress or the worry. It makes me forget and move forward, That’s the impact for me.”

Alison Gornall, Head of Centre of Big Noise Govanhill said:

“Reem, Al Monzer and Asmaa have become a really important part of our Big Noise Govanhill community, and it has been wonderful watching Al Monzer and Asmaa flourish over the years. Their experience underlines how important our holistic and inclusive approach is.

“Big Noise is far more than a music programme. While we are all passionate about music, it is the positive change in individual lives and outcomes that we strive for.

“At Big Noise Govanhill we have welcomed many families who are new to Scotland, and as with every young person who joins the programme, we make every effort to support them to feel included in our community, unleash their potential, and achieve their goals.”