THE traditional sounds of Celtic folk are being reintroduced to Wirral's music scene thanks to an innovative programme aimed at creating a sense of community and belonging.

Celtic Roots Community Music Academy specialises in the provision of Celtic music programmes and tuition for children adults, teaching them how to play traditional folk instruments including the tin whistle, Irish drum, fiddle, flute, accordion and banjo.

With workshops held at Leasowe Early Years and Adult Learning Centre, as well as Williamson Art Gallery, the programme has become a real hit and has created a socially inclusive community through music, dance, art and drama.

A weekly community music school is held each Monday at Leasowe Early Years and Adult Learning Centre from 3.45pm until 7pm.

As well as giving people a creative outlet, the classes also aims to raise awareness of Celtic musical and cultural heritage and provide specialist music and art programmes developed in alignment with the National Curriculum.

The weekly music school, held at the Leasowe centre on Twickenham Drive, also helps parents and children to bond by offering an opportunity for them to learn to play an instrument together.

String specialist Jo Richards, who founded the programme with fellow Wirral musician, Lesley-Ann Wood, told the Globe: "Our community classes are totally unique, inspiring, engaging, inclusive, fun, education and affordable.

"Our aim is to bring the community together to experience, explore and share the possibilities of learning to play a musical instrument and discover our common cultural heritage and Celtic traditions.

"We have some of the best tutors around the north west. Classes are for any age and any ability and we want to inspire as many people as possible to learn a musical instrument."

As a social enterprise, any profits are redistributed to enable all members of the community to access heritage programmes.

Celtic Roots is currently working in partnership with Wirral Lifelong Learning and Live Well Wirral to offer the opportunity for adults who may be unemployed, retired, feeling isolated or suffering from depression or early onset dementia, to take part in the workshops.

Jo added: "We believe everyone should have the opportunity.

"We are literally changing people’s lives through music by improving confidence and wellbeing."

The next free adult courses start on Monday, April 28 at the Leasowe Early Years and Adult Learning Centre and Thursday, May 1 at the Williamson Art Gallery.

For more information, or to book your place on a course, visit www.celticrootsmusic.co.uk or call 0151 512 5007.