Room to Rant is a rap and spoken word initiative that helps young men channel their emotions and get stuff off their chest, while building camaraderie and mutual support.
Music can be a powerful force to reduce stress, boost mood and bring people together. Sussex-based Audio Active is bringing these elements together in a mental health initiative that uses rap and hip-hop to encourage young men to share how they are feeling – and get help if they need it.
“Music and the arts have always been a form of therapy and are a powerful way of releasing emotion and expressing yourself,” says Jon Clark, lead tutor at Room to Rant, which works with 16 to 25 year olds across Worthing, Crawley, Brighton and Eastbourne. “We guide people on how to channel their emotions into their music and create something they are proud of.”
The project, which is a partnership between Audio Active and YMCA Downslink, has been running for four years now, but has recently extended its reach into venues in Worthing and Crawley.
Members are encouraged to be themselves during the sessions – and to explore their struggles and life experiences through spoken word, rap and hip hop. The groups are led by experienced and accomplished rappers, who are well respected in the hip-hop and music scene. And there’s a YMCA counsellor present, so that people can access one-to-one support if they need it.
“The counsellor is central to our offering at Room to Rant, providing a gateway for young men to get help if they need it,” says Sam Halligan, project manager at Audio Active. “If something poignant comes up in our sessions, the counsellor may step in and take that person aside to talk. And if need be, they can organise one-to-one support.”
Jon says that the sessions typically start with him putting on a beat and people improvising and freestyling their lyrics – “which really helps break the ice” – followed by a check-in to see how everyone is doing that week and how they are feeling. Themes for lyrics and music writing may emerge from this discussion and then people work independently, collaboratively or as a whole group to create music.
“The sessions create camaraderie. We support people through the service, but they support each other too,” says Jon.
Room to Rant aims to reduce stigma around mental health for young men who may sometimes find it difficult to open up and ask for help. “When people are doing an activity they love – in this case, making music – perhaps there is more of a chance that they’ll open up, talk about how they are feeling and get support if they need it,” says Sam.
Members of Room to Rant say that coming to the sessions has really helped them through lockdown (the project continued online during successive lockdowns), that they love the feeling of togetherness in the group and the warm and supportive atmosphere – and that they have found brotherhood in the group. In one case, an attendee said that the service literally saved his life when he was feeling suicidal.
“We all share a passion for music and we have that commonality,” concludes Jon. “At Audio Active, we are as interested as the members of Room to Rant in them developing as artists and feeling happy and fulfilled – and being able to express themselves.”
Room to Rant operates out of the Ridiculously Cool Studios in Worthing currently, but will be moving to a new studio in central Worthing at the end of March. Meanwhile, sessions in Crawley are in a freight container in the car park of Crawley College. Sessions are also available in Brighton and Eastbourne.
No prior experience is needed and Room to Rant is a free drop-in. It is open to anyone who identifies as male or non-binary and is aged 16-25.
See sign up here.
If you are struggling with your mental health, you can find local sources of support on this website.
