Bee the Difference Project, led by Manchester terror attack survivors, to perform at memorial event in Norway
Bee the Difference Project, initially a research project aimed at highlighting the issues young people face in the aftermath of terrorism, will provide the musical entertainment at this year’s memorial event in the Government Quarter and Utøya. The group, which consists of ten young women who have personally experienced how music, song, and friendship can help them through trauma, will perform three songs at each location on Monday.
The singers are survivors of the May 2017 terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, where 22 people were killed and at least 239 others physically injured. Post-attack investigations revealed that at least 1,000 survivors have struggled, many without receiving help. When the Manchester Survivors Choir was formed by survivors and their families, many found comfort and support through song.
Bee the Difference Project has been a social engagement for the women from the Manchester Survivors Choir since 2022, inspired by experiences and research surrounding survivors of the July 22nd terror attacks in Norway. Sociologist Cath Hill from Lancaster University initiated the project after her involvement in the choir became a turning point in her life.
Surviving the deadly attack at the Manchester Arena with her son, Hill struggled with survivor’s guilt, a common but often unaddressed phenomenon where one feels irrational guilt for having survived a serious disaster or attack. Hill decided to do something positive to help, and now uses music to inspire other young people to participate in the research project, to share their message, and to communicate the significant challenges young survivors face.
A survey by Bee the Difference Project last year revealed that 93% of the young survivors felt they needed support following the Manchester attack. However, 70% received no professional help in the first month, and 31% received no professional help in the first year.