The idea
We’re looking to fund 4 months of free music provision for the young people of Bootle, and open up the opportunity of a further 4 months through match funding. This length of project reflects young people craving stability; taking time to build trust and relationships for positive lasting change.
During the project there will be three after-school music sessions per week with a core programme of:
1. Youth Guitar Club - Fretboard Society
2. Songwriting & Digital Music Workshop - Sound Lab
3. A new band-based workshop; bringing a long-term request of our youth board to fruition.
There will be regular performance events, including small-scale showcases for boosting confidence, a mini-festival, and collaborations with other Scrapyard projects.
Accountable to our Youth Board, two youth workers will deliver the project and coordinate celebration events. They’ll also lead our outreach to schools and alternative provision, train volunteers, and be the contact for families.
What we'll deliver
- Three evenings of music opportunity each week; guitar club, songwriting and band workshops.
- Three performances that friends and families can attend for free.
- Two youth workers planning projects and events, creating outreach and keeping in touch with families.
- A sound engineer for creating high quality sound at each event.
- A register app for safeguarding and GDPR.
Why it's a great idea
Our community is within the top 1% multiple deprivations and 80% of our young members feel unsafe in their own streets. Deciding that improving mental health and reducing isolation is their priority, the young people designed the three contrasting strands of the project to encourage lots of other young people to join in.
They've found that upskilling through learning instruments and sound technologies breaks down barriers, building social cohesion, offering hope, and opening up more active futures for young people, which helps avoid crime and antisocial behaviour.
The recent Sefton Poverty Proofing report underlines the connection between culture and wellbeing, with young people saying "there's a lack of any music classes" and that they are priced out of music lessons.
Quotes from current project members:
"I love coming to this club. I've met so many new friends, and it means I'm not just sitting on my computer."
"I got given a guitar and learned to play music for the first time.
Steps to get it done
- 1 - August - Two weeks of sessions in the school holidays including the launch of our new band project!
- 2 - September - Scrapyard Live Festival - Performance of Fretboard Society and Sound Lab
- 3 - September - October - Project Leader outreach in schools and other organisations
- 4 - November - Relaxed youth projects gig for friends and families
- 5 - December - Christmas Concert - with all the Scrapyard projects
- 6 - January - Relaxed youth projects gig for friends and families
- 7 - End of January - if we reach our target our match funders will extend our project to the summer.
