A leading charity for survivors of sexual abuse is bringing the therapeutic power of drumming to Nottinghamshire.

Incest and Sexual Abuse Survivors has been working in the county for more than 24 years, providing specialist confidential counselling and therapeutic groups to men and women affected by assaults in childhood.

Since early 2015 the charity has run beginners drumming workshops in Nottingham and is now expanding this service to Mansfield, Newark, and Worksop. In these sessions the group learn to play a mixture of African hand drums and other rhythmic instruments.

Dan McKay, Percussion Specialist said: “I’ve been teaching drumming for about 20 years now and I’ve seen how learning a new skill like playing a djembe ultimately improves overall self-confidence, inspires, and is a real boost to a person’s well-being. Drumming groups are great fun too and they’re often very warm and happy sessions.”

Roy McPartland, group facilitator, explained: “We’ve seen how uplifting these drumming workshops have been in Nottingham and we’re excited to be able to do the same for clients in the rest of the county.

“Research suggests that drumming may enhance recovery through inducing relaxation and making changes to the way the brain works. Along with the satisfaction gained from building new musical skills drumming is a really pleasurable experience. And it can potentially release emotional trauma too. For example, we have seen that these workshops helped people by reducing shame, isolation and alienation, and created a sense of connectedness with self and others.”

The two-hour long drumming workshop will run weekly for six sessions and are free to survivors of sexual abuse. Classes start in early July. Drums are provided and the sessions are suitable for beginners.

For more information please contact Roy or Dan at ISAS on 0115 824 0314 or visit www.isas-notts.org.uk