Charity to break down music industry barriers for disadvantaged young people in Sussex
The SupaJam Foundation will link children missing school due to health or support needs with counsellors and mentors to gain industry experience
A new charity is hoping to help children missing school due to mental or additional needs back into education - and towards a career in music.
The SupaJam Foundation hopes to break down barriers into the industry, by linking young people up with counsellors and mentors to boost their confidence and help them secure experience in the field.
Officially launching in Bexhill's De La Warr Pavilion this evening, the charity aims to help 15-26 year olds "unlock their full potential", by using music as a tool to boost confidence and motivation.
Already, they've helped one young person secure paid work experience at Glastonbury, while providing others the chance to help out with tonight's event alongside band The Lottery Winners.
Hoping to help with "growing mental health crisis" - CEO
Their CEO Rebecca Bates said they're hoping to help with a "growing mental health crisis": "We're setting up programmes of music therapy and counselling because there is a growing crisis of mental health support not being available quickly enough.
"As we know, services are stretched beyond their means and there's quite a long wait time.
"So what the charity is trying to do is set up these programmes where actually we we cut those wait times down.
"We provide young people who want to get into the music industry and have some sort of disadvantage access to trained counsellors and trained music therapists.
"Its allowing these young people to explore their emotions through the power of music, but also giving them a language to to reach out to each other, to reach out to professionals and to really learn more about themselves in a safe environment.
"The aim is that giving these young people something to focus on and something to inspire and motivate them."
To get support from the charity, you can complete a referral form here.