A MUSIC CHARITY which works with vulnerable children has won an award which recognises innovation and excellence.

Rhythmix, which is based in Brighton, works with young people with disabilities, mental health issues and physical ailments, people in care, hospital and hospices, and older people with dementia.

The charity was recognised for its efforts at the national Children and Young People Now Awards, where it won the Mental Health and Wellbeing Award.

Lucy Stone, strategic director at the charity, said: “I still can’t believe that we won.

“We are outrageously shocked.

“Given the rest of the group of finalists we were up against, we were quite shocked to be the ones chosen.

“We are just a small project quietly getting on with our work and for it to be recognised nationally is quite outstanding.

“It will help us raise the profile of the work we do and it helps us to promote what we are doing to supporters, funders and potential suppliers.”

Rhythmix has set up many different projects to support young people across the south east, including Music in Mind, which sees the charity working with youngsters aged 11 to 25 years with mental health needs.

The project aims to give young people the opportunity to gain real vocational skills and have a positive creative outlet through music making opportunities.

Ms Stone added: “There is a lot of evidence to show that music can really help you state of mind, wellbeing and health and this just helps to raise the profile of that even further.”

Alastair Beddow, chair of trustees at Rhythmix is equally proud of the charities work.

He said: “These recent awards are testament to the impact of our important work, which is often delivered in very difficult or emotional settings.

“It is fantastic to see our pioneering work in health and wellbeing has been recognised in this way.”

The initiative is funded by BBC’s Comic Relief and Children in Need, as well as Brighton and Hove City Council and local children’s charity Rockinghorse.

Another project run my Rhythmix is Make Waves, which offers young people in Hastings and Rother, both areas of high deprivation and instances of children in challenging circumstances, the chance to make high quality music.

As part of the project, the group comes together to perform a show at the end of each eight-week term.