MUSIC is powerful. It can elevate your mood, fend off feelings of self-doubt and even be the catalyst for a community full of support and diversity.

If you’re looking for an easy way to transform your mood, cue the ukulele.

“Music should be part of the National Health because it makes a tremendous difference to people’s lives,” said John Scoble, the brainchild behind the Thornton-le-Dale Ukuleles.

“The ukulele is a fun instrument that makes everyone smile; music really is magic.”

Going from strength to strength, the plucky Thornton-le-Dale Ukuleles have a wonderfully diverse and encouraging team of more than 70 members raising more than £53,000 for charity.

The inspiring aspect is the inclusivity, with representatives from the Ryedale Sight Support, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and many older members who live on their own.

WATCH: A selection of songs from the group's CD collection

How did the Thornton-le-Dale Ukuleles burst onto the scene?

Reading that learning a musical instrument potentially prevents Alzheimer’s and memory loss, John Scoble decided to play the ukulele and initiated the Music in the Community Scheme in 2014.

Winning North Yorkshire County Council’s Volunteer of The Year award in 2015, inclusion is at the heart of every project with ages ranging from 16 to recently celebrating a former member 99th birthday. From year to year and strength to strength, John generously provides tuition, musical knowledge and brings imagination to life with the help from founding members David Swann, Heather Chaplin, Geoff Chaplin, Maggie Thomlinson, Peter Smith and Jane Roberts.

“People expect the ukulele to be a boring instrument, but it has the power to make the grumpiest of audience members hop up and have a dance,” added founding member Heather.

“I remember we did a concert a couple of years ago and, whilst everyone was joyously dancing, he sat in the audience with his arms crossed and a blank expression across his face.”

“Afterwards he stood up, briskly walked across to our group and said: ‘this has been the most fun I’ve ever had’.”

Peter Smith, sat thoughtfully across the wooden table, interjected: “That is the beauty of the Thornton-le-Dale Ukuleles, looking out across an audience and seeing a sea of smiles and laughter is the most fulfilling feeling in the world.”

WATCH: Thornton-le-Dale Ukuleles performing Galway Girl by Ed Sheeran at Kirk Theatre in Pickering, raising £4000 for York Against Cancer and Sight Support Ryedale.

Although none of the success was even fathomed five years ago, the group has performed a shed-load of concerts, helping raise thousands for charity each year and entertain hundreds of people while providing great enjoyment for the members, many of whom have never previously performed in public.

Every single charity, carefully considered around John’s kitchen table, has a special connection to particular members, including Yorkshire Air Ambulance, St Martin’s Hospice, Cancer Research and several other Ryedale-based organisations.

“Every single person in this room has always been incredibly helpful, supportive and kind when times have seemed tough – we are a family,” said Heather.

With founding member David Swann taking a step back to focus on other projects, the ukulele group is hoping to take a show on the road in 2020, featuring plenty of dancing and a sing-a-long programme.

“Village halls were the beating heart of a community which, sadly, seems to have taken a back seat,” said John.

“We recently performed at a village hall in Thornton-le-Clay and the standout word from our lovely feedback was ‘transformed’.

“We want to transform unused spaces around Ryedale with lively ukulele concerts and plenty of musical audience participation; if anyone is interested please contact us.”

The group would like to thank Paul Pickering and his father Colin, from Pulse AV, who generously provide their musical expertise, time and equipment free of charge.

For more information about the group, visit visitthorntonledale.co.uk