📰 The Mercians Make Headlines in the Rotherham Advertiser 💙🎶

The band visited four schools across the trust – Thrybergh Academy, Clifton Community School, Rawmarsh Community School and The Gainsborough Academy – with a final performance scheduled at Wickersley School and Sports College in March.

🎤 Music With a Message

The sessions combined high-energy live performances with honest and heartfelt discussions about mental health and wellbeing. Alongside their music, band members spoke openly about personal challenges they have faced — and how they worked to overcome them.

Their aim was simple but powerful:
💬 Encourage students to talk openly
🤝 Remind them it’s okay to seek support
👀 Promote checking in on friends and classmates

A spokesperson for the group explained:

“Being able to use this platform to encourage people to talk has always been something we said we’d do if we got the chance to have an impact.The main takeaways we want to put across for students is that it’s okay to go through a rough patch and it’s very, very normal to do so.A lot of young people are struggling with modern pressures and it’s definitely more important than ever to make sure we’re checking in on those around us.The more we can normalise those little check-ins, not only will it be easier for people to reach out when they need it, but we will continue to proactively approach these topics to improve quality of life across the country.”

🌟 Real Impact in the Classroom

The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive. One Year 7 student at Thrybergh Academy shared:

“It was very good. I liked how they talked about mental health, and about how talking to other people can make you feel better.”

By blending relatable storytelling with music, The Mercians created a safe, welcoming space where young people felt seen, heard and understood 💙

Helen O’Brien, CEO at Wickersley Partnership Trust, added:

“The Mercians’ honesty and relatability has a real impact on our young people.Their message – that it’s okay to experience difficult periods and that reaching out is a strength – aligns perfectly with our commitment to promoting positive mental health in all of our schools.”

🎵 A Continued Commitment to the Borough

This is not the first time the group has visited the area. In 2023 and 2024, they performed at Winterhill School in Kimberworth as part of a UK school tour focused on mental health awareness.

Their return once again highlights their commitment to using music as a platform for positive change ✨

As conversations around young people’s wellbeing become more important than ever, initiatives like this show how powerful live music can be — not just as entertainment, but as a catalyst for connection, courage and conversation 💬🎶

Rotherham Artical link below:

Rotherham Advertiser Article