Become a Wishing Well apprentice

15 July 2024

As part of our young people’s music programme, funded by Youth Music and delivered in partnership with Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, we’re excited to offer one last apprenticeship place in 2024.

Our successful applicant will work alongside the Wishing Well team at Chalkhill Hospital in mid-Sussex for 10 weeks. You’ll receive additional support and training before and after the project. This is a paid opportunity to gain experience working with young people and to acquire skills which are transferable to all aspects of a music-based portfolio career.

Criteria for applicants.  You would need:
  • Some prior experience or training in either music facilitation or music teaching in community or education settings
  • To be registered as self-employed and to have an enhanced DBS check (we can help you with this if needed)
  • A keen interest in bringing your music into a mental health setting in a way that prioritises inclusion and respect for participants
  • Great communication and listening skills, and enthusiasm for developing a reflective way of working
  • To be available for a 10-week placement at Chalkhill Hospital in Haywards Health (mid-Sussex), from 4-6 pm on Tuesdays.  Dates can be agreed with the successful applicant.

We are particularly keen to share this opportunity with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, including those who may have experienced barriers in accessing training or professional development opportunities.

Placement

Chalk Hill is an in-patient hospital in Haywards Heath (mid-Sussex), caring for young people aged 12-18 who are experiencing emotional difficulties, mental health problems and eating disorders.  Our apprentice will support our resident musician with one-to-one and small group sessions involving multi-instrumental work, composition, songwriting and production.

How to Get Involved

The deadline to submit your interest is 1st September 2024.  All you need to do is send us an email telling us a little bit about yourself and your relevant experience. 

To register your interest please email [email protected]

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

What a previous apprentice, Izzy, had to say

I never really thought I could do something that was so meaningful as working in a mental health hospital…

I think a lot of people who do music can resonate with it being something you want to do because you want to make someone feel something or be able to make their day better or bring them into the present moment… It felt like such a privilege to be able to do that, to have the space to join them [participants at Chalk Hill]… and bring some life to the space with the music.

[The apprenticeship] has been such a valuable thing to have for my CV and the whole experience has highlighted certain aspects of my personality and my skill set that I think I’d really love to develop upon