Emma Jaynes, Founder of Launceston Folk Club and Wreckers Music tells us a bit about the origin story for the work she does in the community with both music and emotional wellbeing.

Transcript of the video (roughly):

When I moved back to Cornwall, I didn’t set out to run events.
I wanted to get back into music and build connection.

I’d seen how music and community can change lives, including my own.

I had been a performing musician when I was younger and, due to my own life experiences, I retrained in psychology, peer coaching, and therapeutic and complementary practices, 16 years ago and I co-founded The Adept Living Foundation CIC (ALFCIC) around 10 years ago which is a small grassroots, peer led organisation supporting those impacted by trauma and life stress.

The research shows that community, belonging, meaning, purpose, and service have both a preventative and restorative impact on our health and wellbeing and I know this from my own experience. 

There was a time, until about 2010, when I was severely emotionally and mentally unwell. I couldn’t leave the house or function, and I was hospitalised on several occasions. Being part of a community, supported by peers, and getting back to music turned my life around, and I no longer recognise myself as that person holding such deep sadness and fear. 

So Launceston Folk Club was born out of the desire to merge music and peer support to bring people together and do our best to uplift the community as well as the individuals within it.

Over time, it has grown - we now have concerts, folk nights, radio, songwriters open mics, musician tours, and more…. 

But the heart of it hasn’t changed.

Music. Community. Wellbeing.

That’s why I do this, that is what motivates and drives me.

Come along to an event and see what I mean!