We need a completely new roof as it’s leaking badly. The upstairs double glazing has failed, the front fire doors is rotten and we need to replace some tired carpets. As we renovate the building we also want to futureproof our heating & lighting system with solar panels and led lights following our ‘green audit’. We help people of all ages to improve their quality of life through creative work, education, leisure time activities and employability. We deliver workshops in music, film, arts & crafts, graphic design, photography, animation and more recently, 3D printing. With access free for local residents and as cheap as possible to everybody else. We cover most of our core costs through selling our creative services and this is the first time we have ever done a crowdfunding bid. With funds raised here we’ll create a building fit for purpose to provide & improve our charities services for the next two decades. This will secure the estates local asset and keep bills down.

What we'll deliver:

• A new community centre roof.
• A new heating & lighting system.
• New double glazing upstairs.
• A new fire door.
• Solar panels.
• Replacement carpets where needed.

Why it's a great idea:

We bring creative opportunities to a range of people, many of whom are considered vulnerable, whether through mental health difficulties, ill health or financial insecurity. What makes our building special is that whilst we pride ourselves on how well we take care of people, we don’t desensitise Soundskills. This means that ‘rich connections’ are made between people, whether you be a confident young musician or an anxious elder just about to start their first painting. We have a truly person centred approach and peer support groups are a big part of what we provide. A building fit for purpose to provide & improve our charities services for the next two decades. This will not only secure the estates local asset (we own the building & everything in it) but it will also make our building more energy efficient and keep bills down. Enabling us to spend more of the income we generate on improving local peoples skills, health & wellbeing and life opportunities through the support they need.

Steps to get it done:

• Installation of new roof and loft flooring
• The switching on of the new green heat & lighting system
• The full reopening of the building celebration

Our policy has always been to ensure access to the facility is free to local residents and as cheap as possible to everybody else. We do this by raising funds predominantly through creative commissions and referral work with health & educational organisations. Historically we have tried not to rely on ‘funding applications’ or ‘fundraising activities’ and this is the first time we have ever done a crowdfunding bid. Occasionally we apply for funding to do specialist project work or equipment. ***We recently refurbished and upgraded our recording facility to bring it back inline with industry standard studios, but even this is now being leaked into as the rest of the building is in need of some structural TLC. Whilst we appreciate, in these current times, that supporting a charitable cause is challenging, we hope people understand the value Soundskills adds to the people of Brookfield & wider Preston and what a shame it would be for our story to end here. Thank you for reading our form