SPACE and partners bring ‘Soundwaves’ project to young people
Back in September 2018, SPACE started working closely with one of our partnering organisations - Daisi, to help grow music inclusion opportunities for young people across the Devon area as part of the ‘SoundWaves’ Music Project.
The aim of the project was to train a new trainee music leader each year to obtain the knowledge and skill set they would need to run their own music based activities either as freelancers or paid employees. By training and building a higher skilled workforce across Devon and by creating a programme of Devon based music leaders, the aim is for music inclusion opportunities to increase and for young people to have the access to music lessons no matter where they are or the restrictions they face.
Young people who have engaged with this project have all had the opportunity to try something new, learn and take away everything they’ve wanted at that time. It’s been a real joy to see young people succeeding in their ambitions with music each week and finding both their voice and confidence as a result. Forming new relationships, finding new passions and for some, stepping away from other negative pressures and generating their own positive pathways in life.
This project has seen young people who have never touched a guitar or anything musical, to then stand up on stage at Exeter Respect Festival and Hive Live months later, in front of hundreds of people, their friends and their families for the first time. We’ve seen 3 of the young people who came to The Hive Youth Centre, move into paid roles as Music Peer Educators. Two of whom went on to then study music at university. As well as several more young people who also achieve the same stepping stone from accessing music support and learning across our sessions.
We’ve seen a number of young people work alongside our music leaders each week to record music for the first time and to get played on local radio stations across Devon, one of which is BBC Introducing! As well as countless young people feeling confident in both skill and self belief to perform on stage at every opportunity. We’ve been able to help those most vulnerable in our communities, by being that ‘safe space’ week on week, knowing that young people can disconnect from their problems and worries from the outside world and find solace in something they enjoy and love.
“I learned a great deal about how to engage with young people and to build relationships, to bring them to a stage where they felt confident to make music. I was very pleased to get to work at Block club with our SEND group and gain more experience of this type of music leading as well, which I am so thankful for.””
“My time as a trainee music leader with Space for the Daisi Soundwaves Project has been, to summarise, life changing! I have been a freelance musician for the best part of 6/7 years now, but having time to reflect during the first lockdown, I wanted to strengthen my ties in the arts community and give young people the opportunity to learn and enjoy music through my skills and knowledge - except I wasn’t sure how exactly...That’s when I saw the Soundwaves Project advertised.”
A year in the life of a Music Peer Educator
“I’ve loved every second of this project, meeting everyone involved along the way, the challenges each year it has presented (C19!). But most importantly, seeing all the young people who have engaged in this project for their own reasons, each mentee and every peer educator grow in strength, with their individual journeys in the pursuit of their musical interests and pathways.”
“To Vicci, Emily and everyone else at Daisi, thank you so much for your support, guidance and placing your trust in me to deliver this project on your behalf, (as well as others) I’ve had the best time!”
