An 11-year-old singer-songwriter is harnessing her talent to help homeless people in Ipswich after watching her mum combat anxiety and make a positive difference.
High school pupil Roma Nicholson will launch her debut EP Welcome to the Waterfront at a special event at Sailmaker’s Shopping Centre next month, when she will also treat passers-by to a performance of the three songs featured on the CD.
The youngster was inspired to raise funds for charity Selig Suffolk, which runs the Ipswich Winter Night Shelter, after her mum worked there as a volunteer.
Rosa, who originally hails from Galicia in Spain and settled in the UK 30 years ago, said: “When I volunteered at the night shelter I was really impressed with the work Selig did. I suffer from anxiety so it was a big deal for me to venture out to do volunteer work but I was glad I did.
“Roma was really impressed with what I did and became really interested in the work of the charity. She decided to use her talent to benefit the charity and the homeless of Ipswich.”
The CD features songs Father and Unfair, written by Roma, and Tomorrow, penned by Rosa.
Roma, from Pinewood and a pupil at St Alban’s Catholic High School in Ipswich, has been passionate about performing since she was a toddler, attending Stagecoach Performing Arts School from the age of four.
As well as singing, dancing and playing the piano, Roma has also appeared on the stage, starring as a young Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical in Norwich in 2015, and has won a scholarship to Dance East.
She said: “I’m incredibly proud of what the Ipswich Winter Night shelter does for the homeless in Ipswich - offering them a warm safe dry place to eat and sleep over the winter months.
“I really hope my EP will raise lots of money and help Selig continue to provide this much-needed help for the homeless.”
Five-hundred copies of Roma’s CD have been pressed, with help from Stagecoach Performing Arts School, Chequers Hotel and Sturgeon Builders, and they will be available to buy for £3 each at the launch.
Roma’s album will also be uploaded to iTunes, Amazon Music and Spotify.
She has enlisted the support of Ipswich Mayor Roger Fern who has contributed to the fund-raising effort, as well as writing to star Ed Sheeran and James Bowen, a homeless busker who became famous for performing with Bob his ginger cat.
Mike Sorhaindo, manager of Sailmaker’s, said: “We’re delighted that Roma has chosen Sailmakers for the launch of her CD.
“She is a very talented young performer and I’m sure it will do very well for a worthy charity.”
The launch will take place at the town centre shopping centre between 11am and 2pm on Saturday, June 3.
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