A NEW wellbeing project is being launched by Wellington Town Council which is designed to strengthen community bonds.

Together in Tone is a collaborative musical initiative designed to improve health, wellbeing, and social connection across the Wellington & Wiveliscombe Local Community Network (LCN).

The project aims to weave a musical thread through local events and communities, reducing isolation and celebrating shared identity and cultural pride.

The town council will contract a versatile community musician as a community music facilitator for a period of eight to ten months, as they look to bring together singers, singing groups, music groups and other individual musicians to perform at various local events.

Through this initiative, the council will engage with existing choirs, group leaders, music groups, musicians, and residents from across the LCN and neighbouring parishes this may be done directly with the group or their group leaders.

Any groups agreeing to participate in the project will agree to learn a number of well-known songs that can then be performed at local events. They will also be expected to help co-create a collaborative original song shaped by sense of place and community.

The project also seeks to create an online directory of existing opportunities for singing and creating music locally, all the while documenting the initiative’s journey through photos, video, and community voices.

The project is designed to be inclusive, cross-generational, and sustainable, with a focus on building skills, confidence, and long-term creative networks.

By fostering partnerships between choirs, musicians, volunteers, community groups and schools, Together in Tone intends to create a replicable model for future wellbeing projects and festivals.

An intended outcome of the Together in Tone initiative is to reduce the level of isolation some may have in the local community and improve self-esteem through inclusive music participation.

It also seeks to improve physical and mental health, strengthen ties across generations and parish partnerships, as well as to enhance the skills and confidence for individuals interested in continuing the project.

Together in Tone is designed to create a sustainable, creative network supporting ongoing wellbeing initiatives.

Laura Batcha, Community Development Officer at Wellington Town Council, said: “Together in Tone is all about connection, bringing people, places, and music together to celebrate what makes our communities special.

“Across Wellington and Wiveliscombe there’s already so much musical talent, from choirs and school groups to open mic nights and local bands. This project gives us a chance to link them up, shine a light on what already exists, and create something meaningful together.

“We hope it will not only lift spirits and reduce isolation, but also leave a legacy; a stronger, more connected network of people who find joy, confidence, and belonging through music.

“We’re excited to begin this journey and would love to hear from any local groups, leaders, or musicians who want to be involved.”

This project is funded by Somerset Association of Local Councils in partnership with Somerset Councils Local Community Network, Actiontrack and Welington Town Council.