Music studio launches creative club for youngsters with additional learning needs

A local music studio has launched a new ‘Creative Club’ for young people with additional learning needs (ALN). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Supported by funding from Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW), Wrexham Sounds will deliver up to 40 weekly sessions over the next year focused on music, craft and movement. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The grant was matched by the not-for-profit organisation, which is encouraging children with ALN to participate in Saturday morning activities at the Rhosrobin facility. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

General Manager Olivia Gallagher secured financial backing after being quizzed by a committee of young people from AVOW, a part of Third Sector Support Wales (TSSW), a nationwide network of voluntary councils and organisations. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“It was great to sit down with them and explain what a benefit these activities will have for young people in the Wrexham area, so we are delighted and thankful to have their support,” said Olivia. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We have received a number of grants from AVOW, the last youth-led grant funded the production of two accredited DJ courses, acoustic treatment and lighting at the studio – so we are very grateful to them. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We will now move forward with the sessions, which will be with groups of up to six children or young people. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Our aim is to build confidence and have fun, whether that be through arts and crafts, playing an instrument or singing, there will be lots of different opportunities. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We look forward to hearing from our partner organisations, from families, schools and anyone who feels the Creative Club will benefit their child – please get in touch to find out more.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

If the first series of events is successful, Wrexham Sounds will look to make them a permanent fixture in its busy calendar. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

AVOW’s Voluntary and Community Manager Katherine Prince believes it will have a major impact on young people in the area and said: “Our Young Influencers agreed to fund the Creative Club at Wrexham Sounds out of its youth-led grant funding for this year. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Wrexham Sounds gave them a chance to take part in a taster session recently and the panel had a fantastic time experiencing what the studio has to offer. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“They were able to see first-hand the benefits of Wrexham Sounds’ activities on young people lives and the community, by using fun and creative ways to engage which in turn improves mental health and development.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Katherine added: “The panel were delighted that by working in partnership with Wrexham Sounds the session can be made available to those children in Wrexham with additional learning needs for free – we wish them every success over the coming months.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

For more information on the Creative Club or to join the Wrexham Sounds team as a freelancer, visit www.wrexhamsounds.org and follow them on social media at @wrexhamsounds. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Alternatively, call 01978 345245 or email [email protected]. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The Wrexham Young Influencers meet every three weeks to develop skills, meet new friends, learn about community groups and assess grant applications. To find out more, email [email protected]. Visit www.avow.org for the latest news and information from AVOW. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​