Guy Fletcher is the new patron of The Songwriting Charity

As the Nathan Timothy Foundation – The Songwriting Charity celebrates its first anniversary, renowned songwriter and chairman of the PRS, Guy Fletcher, has been revealed as their new patron.
Formed in 2011 the Nathan Timothy Foundation – the Songwriting Charity aims to empower young people using songwriting and music technology, allowing them to address their emotional health and wellbeing.
So far the charity have worked with over 3,500 children and young people across 130 Primary, Secondary and Special Educational Needs schools from their bases in London, Cambridge, Kent and Gloucestershire.
By the end of the summer, the Nathan Timothy Foundation will have run 130 songwriting workshops, from which more than 145 original songs have been written on a range of subjects from bullying, to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The songs have been streamed over 36,000 times on the charity’s SoundCloud account and their YouTube Channel has received more than 21,000 views.
Speaking about his appointment, Fletcher told Music Week:
“Having seen at first hand the results of Nathan Timothy’s work with primary school children, I had no hesitation in agreeing to be the patron of the Songwriting Charity.
“Nathan has an extraordinary ability to motivate children by breathing life into their musical creativity and encouraging them to believe in themselves. Over three thousand children have received this gift already this year and I am proud to be associated with this achievement.”
Nathan Timothy, Chief Executive of the Songwriting Charity and BASCA, AIM, Musicians’ Union and PRS member said of Fletcher’s appointment:
“It makes me so proud to announce Guy Fletcher OBE FRSA as our patron. Over the past 18 years Guy has been a teacher, mentor and true friend. We share the same values and understand the importance the art and craft of songwriting can have to aid the emotional well-being of young people.
“Guy’s passion for supporting songwriters old and new is legendary and I know his influence and expertise as patron will have a huge impact on our work in the future.”
As a songwriter, Fletcher has written for Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Ray Charles, Frankie Valli, Joe Cocker and many other acclaimed artists. In 1969 he recorded first UK hit with I Can’t Tell the Bottom From The Top as performed by the Hollies.
PRS chairman in 2011, Fletcher is also chairman of rights management company Commercial Arts Ltd and Conexion Media Group. He has also worked as a producer and publisher throughout his career