Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is engaging with schools and teachers to co-create digital applications with the theme of music for wellbeing throughout the lifespan, building on the success of last years’ award-winning Gaming for Glasgow project.

Bailie Gerald Leonard, Depute Lord Provost, attended today’s launch of ‘Project Raintown’ which will focus on digital app development for health and wellbeing in the classroom and wider world, engaging each of the 10 Learning Communities in Glasgow’s East End.

Supported by the Celtic FC Foundation, the project focuses on compiling playlists and producing apps in collaboration with experts across the UK around the concept of music and health with a community value, and seeks to make a meaningful difference to young people’s aspirations for employment and further education.

These opportunities will be made available to benefit both GCU students and school pupils through expert mentoring, workshops and volunteering opportunities.

Glasgow’s Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said: “I’d like to thank everyone involved with Project Raintown. Understanding technology is the future for our children and collaborations like this with Glasgow Caledonian University and partners is a really exciting way to engage young people in a meaningful way in subjects that really interest them – music and technology. I wish all the teams the very best of success and look forward to hearing about their progress.”

The project is also being supported by Stewart Henderson, Chair of Scottish Music Industry Association and Head of Chemikal Underground Records, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the RSNO, who will also be represented at the first workshop.

The project is being led by Dr Gianna Cassidy, Music Psychologist and Trustee of Playlist for Life charity, and Dr Morag Ferguson, Assistant Head of Strategy for Learning and Digital Futures, both from the School of Engineering and Built Environment.

In the first activity on Wednesday, November 19, staff and students from GCU are providing an app development workshop with children to kick start the programme of activities and generate initial music app concepts for the programme of work and will provide a CPD workshop on app for respective teachers from each school.

Future workshops will support the schools in learning the basics of app building and development and prototyping.

The GCU team recently presented to Scottish Universities’ cross-party group at the Scottish Parliament, having been awarded a Game Changer Award for excellence in learning and teaching for Gaming for Glasgow.

The initiative saw more than 200 GCU students work with pupils from nine Glasgow schools to develop digital games.