Starbursters
Youth music outreach in Barrow-in-Furness — free after-school mentoring, composition and performance
About the Project
Sunbeams aims to increase opportunity and engagement to young people, by delivering an extension activity in Barrow in an outreach venue at Barrow Underground Music Society for 2 days per week after school. 1 Sunbeams musician and 2 volunteers support 40 young people aged 11-18 years offering high quality music mentoring, education, composition and guidance.
The young people experience opportunities normally not available to them.
There are up to 20 young people, different at each session i.e. 40 every week.
“There are a lot of young bands who want to rehearse and play but none of us can afford it. And we are all too young to go into the pubs to play.”
There are no fees to pay, no charges for attending and taking part. This work especially benefits these young people as the areas where they live record some of the worst IMDs in the country and include extreme anti-social behaviour issues.
Starbursters Showcase
See the project in action and hear what it means to the young people taking part.
Why Barrow?
The young people who have asked for the project have told us of the anti-social risks surrounding them in Hindpool, Barrow Central, Barrow Island all within IMDs Decile 1, with IMD of 204, 99, 213 respectively.
Drug-taking
Substance misuse affecting young lives in the local area.
County Lines
Drug takers from cities like Manchester coercing young people outside the Barrow schools.
Substance abuse
Pressures that put safety, wellbeing and futures at risk.
Knife crime
A serious local concern for vulnerable young people.
Low-level vandalism
A symptom of limited positive outlets and engagement.
Discrimination
Young people bullied for “being different”, including those on the autistic spectrum and with EHCPs (SEND).
What Young People Can Learn
Our aim is to offer advice, training and guidance to young, interested people who have a desire to learn the following. We aim to provide all these extra activities:
Music making
Guitar techniques
Song writing
Composition
Recording basics – and make a recording at Sunbeams Music Centre Recording Studio
Performance methods
Percussion
Social media and self-promotion to take part in a Showcase and Concert
A First-Time Opportunity
Due to the lack of stimulus, encouragement and guidance, this will be a first-time opportunity for them to explore their own talent and try to develop marketable skills.
Enquire Now