Since the launch of Voice in a Million in July 2009, hundreds of schools and thousands of youngsters have chosen to participate in the project. Around 100 new participants are currently enrolling every day and over 12,000 children have now either participated or registered for future events. At the outset it started as a project which the Directors chose to pursue in order to try and make a difference for the thousands and indeed millions of children worldwide, that don’t have a mother or father to take care of them. The reason why we chose this path grew from wanting to give something back, in return for the amazing gift we were given when we finally adopted our son Samuel.
We chose to support the orphanage in Tangier where Samuel spent the first seven months of his life; and did so by supporting them financially. However it soon became clear that what was really needed was not just financial support, but help in trying to raise awareness of the millions of children like Samuel. They don’t really need money, although it helps, they need loving families that have room in their lives, to come forward and adopt them. That’s the mission of Voice in a Million.
We decided that to make this really work, we had to bring the project into our day to day business; and from our initial Musical Theatre Groups for children, the nucleus of the idea emerged. Fifty per cent of the company’s resources have now been allocated to Voice in a Million and it has grown into a viable business which not only makes a profit but can also make difference.
It’s also become clear that as Voice in a Million grows, it will not only make a difference in creating awareness and encouraging prospective adopters to come forward, it has also started to make a difference to the schools, groups and children involved. We have received numerous responses from teachers, commenting on how this project has created an awareness and understanding amongst the pupils participating, on what being ‘adopted’ really means; and just how important it is for every child to have the love and support of a family.
We made a decision early on, that this wasn’t going to be a ‘Talent Competition’ and the motive behind taking part should be primarily to have fun and enjoy participating in something worthwhile, without the competitive pressure. However within the many thousands of participants, we have found a number of very talented youngsters emerging; and we believe that we can, within the infrastructure help develop some of that talent.
It became clear that we would need to not only raise funding for Voice in a Million, but also enlist some help in the decision-making throughout the project, so we formed the Voice in a Million Angels Club. ‘Angels’ being the common term used for those individuals that get involved in West End Theatre Productions; and we have based our constitution on the ‘Theatrical Angels’ model.
The club members are invited (but not compulsory), to be actively involved in decision-making; and assisting in the various events and recording sessions. This will include regular ‘club’ meetings, hosting VIPs at the events, decisions and input on how any charitable donations are made; and making sure that the entire project ‘makes a difference’, not only for the cause, but also for the participants involved.
Our initial aim is to record 1,000,000 voices, worldwide, not only at Arena shows, but also other events including stadiums. With interest now from Spain, the USA and Japan, and the advent of the VIAM Virtual Choir, achieving the target of one million voices is becoming a reality.
If you are interested in becoming a VIAM Angel and would like to be part of VIAM ‘Making a Difference’, please email accounts@voiceinamillion.com and we will send you a copy of the constitution of the club membership and an application form.
