by Helen Fay
Armley’s Man About Town Music Group will be playing a number of fundraising gigs in LS12 and beyond over the next few weeks.
Jonathan Parker, music group leader and director of Creative Frame CIC, said: “We’re raising funds for the Man About Town Music Group and for our Lifting Voices programme.
“This provides free or subsidised low cost therapy, life coach and mentoring support for clients who are most in need but most likely unable to afford it.”
He added: “Current waiting lists for Talking Therapy are around 18 months and people who are desperate to get talking therapy, sometimes even after waiting all that time aren’t always matched with a therapist they get on with.
“By offering this to clients we already have an existing relationship with we can have a good idea which therapist will be the best match.”
In late 2025, Creative Frame CIC was successful in obtaining almost £3,000 funding from the Council’s Inner South West Commitee for PA equipment and microphones, to enable the Music Group to upskill their members in the use of professional PA systems, microphones and mixing equipment.
The aim was to use the equipment for an initial free gig to be performed in Armley, followed by some subsequent fund raising shows. The group are also still available to perform at local venues for free.
Last Wednesday (29 April) the group held a free to attend gig at New Wortley Community Centre, using some of the new PA gear purchased.
The next two shows planned for LS12 using the equipment will be on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday, 20 May at Armley Helping Hands for their Friendship Groups.
Proceeds from the events will be shared between Armley Helping Hands and Creative Frame CIC. The two organisations have collaborated previously, with Music Group performing at functions for Armley Helping Hands.
Dawn Newsome, the CEO of AHH, also donated some video cameras to Creative Frame’s Men on the Margins film group.
The Music Group will also be travelling across to St Helen’s in Merseyside on 14 May to perform, crew and provide the PA for an event which will again raise funds for Creative Frame to continue its work supporting men’s mental health and wellbeing.
Creative Frame is now also an award-winning charity, having won the Yorkshire Prestige Award for best Community Mental Health NPO (not for profit organisation) at the tail end of last year. The organisation was also shortlisted in the best project category in the National Men & Boy’s Awards.
To find out more about Creative Frame and the Music and Film groups, plus it’s other activities, go to the website.
There is a Facebook page. Jonathan can be contacted by email at info@creativeframe.org.uk.
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