PROSPECTIVE young singing stars now have the chance to join a new choir in Richmond.

Aimed at supporting its far flung communities, Dales Arts for WellNess, or DAWN, intends to promote and provide opportunities for young people to participate in the creative arts to benefit wellbeing and mental health.

Using an initial cash donation, it will look to support projects already running within communities that meets its aims and objectives. It also intends to launch new ventures where it identifies a need or a gap in existing provisions.

With the support of the Dales Community Pop Choir led by Debbie Allenby, the first initiative is to launch a new singing group for children aged seven to 16, Northern Youth Voices. The group will sing a range of contemporary and pop songs.

Intending to be as inclusive as possible, it has funding available to support families whose children may struggle to attend either due to financial limitations or lack of access to transport. It also has support from the charity NYMAZ and links with National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.

The first session is at 6pm on Monday, September 13, at the Richmond Rugby Club. Admission is free and then it is £3 per week. Any prospective singers should contact Debbie Allenby to let her know of plans to attend, via the Facebook page, or at northernyouthvoices.com