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16th Mar 2010
Young people who have taken part in a mentoring scheme that teaches them valuable music and life skills are to perform their original new music at The Carriageworks this Saturday.
Youth Music Mentors (YMM) is a national programme, managed by Youth Music and funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which aims to improve the life chances of young people in challenging circumstances through music-based mentoring. The gig marks the end of months of hard work for the young musicians. It is a celebration of what they have learned and a chance to show off their new skills.
The Leeds project has been coordinated by the Arts and Regeneration team at Leeds City Council, and delivered by four partners: Cloth Cats Studios, Lifeforce Productions, The Hunslet Club and Old Chapel Studios.
Cloth Cats Co-ordinator, Mike Jolly, said: “We’re really pleased to be involved with this. It’s exactly the sort of thing we should be doing as it will help to give the young people really good all round music-based skills. In times like this with such high unemployment it’s a great time to get skilled up. This project provides excellent training and is fun.”
Councillor John Procter, executive board member for Leisure, said: “Some young people are experiencing a range of challenges in their lives, such as disability, dysfunctional families, behavioural problems, exclusion from school, involvement in anti-social behaviour and cycles of abuse and neglect leading to low aspirations. YMM provides a lifeline to many young people who wouldn’t otherwise have the support to achieve their potential, and Leeds City Council is extremely proud to be supporting the scheme.”
Leeds is one of only 16 areas in the country to be awarded funding to run the scheme. It is one of the few areas outside of London that is coordinating such an extensive programme for the young people, alongside multiple partners, and is the only area that has included an opportunity for them to showcase their work in a live gig. As well as the live music performances, Leeds City Council have drafted in European female breakdancing champion, Firefly, to entertain the crowds. Firefly has worked with top artists such as K T Tunstall and companies such as T-Mobile, Nike, Intel, Sony, Kellogs, and Christian Dior. She now directs her own Leeds-based dance company, Firefly Assiociates.
The Leeds gig starts at 1.30pm on Saturday 20 March. Tickets are free and will be available on the door. The gig is open to the public and all ages are welcome.
Emily Foulkes, Youth Music, said: “The achievements of the young people across the UK who have taken part in Youth Music Mentors are significant and life changing. By March 2011 over 1,000 young people will have benefited from the programme, many of whom have progressed into peer mentoring roles or other forms of education, employment or training. A team of highly skilled mentors have been developed through the YMM training and development programme, a key to the sustianability of the work beyond 2011.”
Youth Music Mentors (YMM) is a national programme, managed by Youth Music and funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which aims to improve the life chances of young people in challenging circumstances through music-based mentoring. The gig marks the end of months of hard work for the young musicians. It is a celebration of what they have learned and a chance to show off their new skills.
The Leeds project has been coordinated by the Arts and Regeneration team at Leeds City Council, and delivered by four partners: Cloth Cats Studios, Lifeforce Productions, The Hunslet Club and Old Chapel Studios.
Cloth Cats Co-ordinator, Mike Jolly, said: “We’re really pleased to be involved with this. It’s exactly the sort of thing we should be doing as it will help to give the young people really good all round music-based skills. In times like this with such high unemployment it’s a great time to get skilled up. This project provides excellent training and is fun.”
Councillor John Procter, executive board member for Leisure, said: “Some young people are experiencing a range of challenges in their lives, such as disability, dysfunctional families, behavioural problems, exclusion from school, involvement in anti-social behaviour and cycles of abuse and neglect leading to low aspirations. YMM provides a lifeline to many young people who wouldn’t otherwise have the support to achieve their potential, and Leeds City Council is extremely proud to be supporting the scheme.”
Leeds is one of only 16 areas in the country to be awarded funding to run the scheme. It is one of the few areas outside of London that is coordinating such an extensive programme for the young people, alongside multiple partners, and is the only area that has included an opportunity for them to showcase their work in a live gig. As well as the live music performances, Leeds City Council have drafted in European female breakdancing champion, Firefly, to entertain the crowds. Firefly has worked with top artists such as K T Tunstall and companies such as T-Mobile, Nike, Intel, Sony, Kellogs, and Christian Dior. She now directs her own Leeds-based dance company, Firefly Assiociates.
The Leeds gig starts at 1.30pm on Saturday 20 March. Tickets are free and will be available on the door. The gig is open to the public and all ages are welcome.
Emily Foulkes, Youth Music, said: “The achievements of the young people across the UK who have taken part in Youth Music Mentors are significant and life changing. By March 2011 over 1,000 young people will have benefited from the programme, many of whom have progressed into peer mentoring roles or other forms of education, employment or training. A team of highly skilled mentors have been developed through the YMM training and development programme, a key to the sustianability of the work beyond 2011.”
3 Day Forecast
Thursday, 9th February
Min:
0
Max:
1
Friday, 10th February
Min:
-2
Max:
1
Saturday, 11th February
Min:
2
Max:
3