Somerset sessions success
Music coaching and recording sessions at the Foyer in Yeovil are bringing hope to its young residents
As reported in The Somerset Guardian, a Youth Music funded project in Somerset is creating waves and helping to transform the life of Sam Adams, previously homeless after leaving home at the age of 17.
18 months on, Sam is living and working at Yeovil Foyer and is hoping to start a college course with a view to attending university.
Multi-talented Sam plays guitar, keyboards and drums, as well as singing and djing, and became interested in the Foyer's music facilities soon after he moved in. He has gone to significantly develop his musical skills and confidence whilst living at the Foyer.
Thanks to a £27,000 grant from Youth Music, the Foyer has expanded its programme of music coaching and recording sessions.
The exemplary tuition is for residents of the Foyer, a converted church which is now home to 33 young people between the ages of 16 and 25.
It also offers sessions to 14 -25 year olds from across south Somerset, usually referred to the service by agencies including the Youth Offending Team, Connexions, Children's Social care and the Probation Service.
Youth Music support has allowed the foyer to increase sessions provided by west Dorset-based music producer and tutor Mickey Wills from one day to two days a week. It has also allowed the Foyer to employ Sam to work alongside Mickey, picking up new skills along the way.
Although he is a resident of the supported housing scheme on Peter Street in Yeovil, Sam had to go through the full recruitment process, as the job was open to anyone. Although he was up against 7 other worthy candidates he won out to secure the ten-hour-a-week post.
Sam said: "I was overjoyed to get the job. It means such a lot to me. It isn't like a job to me, it is something I enjoy so much.
"The job is also teaching me how to be a music leader and how to teach other people.
"I want to do more in music in the future, hopefully go to college and go on to university.
"Before I moved into the Foyer, I was sofa surfing. I left home at 17 and slept outside for a few weeks. My friends and the Foyer helped me out a lot, they helped me get back my confidence. It was a massive relief to have a roof over my head."
The Foyer's studio has the same recording set up as the pre-production studio at the legendary Abbey Road studios in London and a former resident has even had top 10 hits across Europe!
Producer and tutor, Mickey said: "The music sessions are confidence building and life-changing. I meet a young person for the first time who has been told they are no good at anything. Maybe they haven't done well at school. With music they are dealing with something they understand."
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