Features / Better Bristol
Life-changing music-making programme launches
Three renowned Bristol youth organisations have joined forces to offer a life-changing music programme to marginalised inner-city young people.
The Making Tracks project is a two-year youth music programme set up by the Trinity Centre, Basement Studios and Aspiration Creation Elevation (ACE), following a successful funding application to the National Lottery’s Youth Music programme.
The project will give young people from inner-city Bristol, particularly those struggling with confidence, behaviour, health or wellbeing issues, access to one-to-one support, performance opportunities, mentoring, peer-learning, and joint projects with artists and industry professionals.
is needed now More than ever
One young person who has already benefitted is 21-year-old Sam Neal, who, after attending Trinity’s one-to-one music sessions from 2015 to 2017, is now playing professionally and studying at the Bristol Institute of Modern Music.
When Sam arrived at Trinity back in 2015, he was socially isolated. “I have definitely got more confident since when I started,” he says. “It’s boosted my confidence working with other people in a legitimate studio environment. It’s always interesting and enjoyable here at Trinity. There are always great opportunities going on.”
Big names have supported Trinity in various ways over the years: the music studios contain donations from locals including Adrian Utley of Portishead, while recently Bristol recording artist, songwriter and composer Tanya Lacey popped in when she needed a beatboxer for a live show.
Dave Thomas in one of Trinity’s practice rooms
For Dave Thomas, training coordinator at Trinity, the programme is all about being able to help more young people.
“I’m really happy that the Making Tracks project has won the funding to provide life changing music-making experiences to marginalised young people,” he says. “Previous work done by all three charities has given young people a positive route into education, further training, work or music college.”
To find out more and get involved in the project, visit www.3ca.org.uk/activities/youth-music
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