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On 29 May, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin and North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans visited the Rockworks Academy based at the Penyffordd and Penymynydd War Memorial Institute in Penyffordd, Flintshire. The organisation is a social enterprise dedicated to making music accessible for all, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances, whether financial, physical or social.
The group was recently successful in applying for funding from the local Your Community, Your Choice initiative for their ‘Breaking Barriers’ project and the visitors went along to hear more about the plans. The project aims to provide tuition, group sessions, and masterclasses to even more people and to enable groups such as socially excluded and disengaged young people to experience music and introduce it into their lives.
The Your Community, Your Choice fund supports grass-roots projects and is backed by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police and Community Trust and North Wales Police. The funding for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest from the Police and Crime Commissioner. Over the eleven years since Your Community, Your Choice started, almost £600,000 has been awarded to nearly 200 projects working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods and to support the priorities in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.
Rockworks Academy can offer sessions out in the field or in their studios in Wrexham or Flintshire. They provide a variety of adaptive music sessions led by experienced tutors. The sessions are designed to accommodate diverse needs and abilities, ensuring that everyone can participate meaningfully. They also collaborate with local community groups to reach as broad an audience as possible, ensuring that those who might benefit most from their services are aware of and can access them. Additionally, they offer shows and performance throughout the year.
During the visit the Commissioner saw how vital the project is for both the people that it serves and their caregivers. He met with the director and tutors and witnessed the project’s profound impact on everyone involved.
Tanya Jones, Drum Tutor and Director, the Rockworks Academy, commented: “Thanks to the money received from this amazing grant, we are able to facilitate a year of monthly music sessions for the Youth Tribe. A group of neurodiverse teenagers who enjoy playing music together. We can provide a safe, dry, familiar and equipped environment with qualified tutors on hand to supervise.
“This initiative has a great and positive impact on the Youth Tribe as they further their knowledge and experience doing something they love to do. Playing music together has so many benefits, including teamwork, increased listening skills, improved co-ordination and confidence and social skills. We want to thank Your Community, Your Choice for giving us this fantastic opportunity.”
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “I am very pleased to have helped fund the Rockworks Academy’s hugely impactful sessions. I saw during my visit the positive atmosphere, engagement, and strong sense of community on display from all involved.
“Disability, negative past experiences, and economic and social exclusion can all mean that people are less likely to take part in activities such as this and I am delighted to see Rockworks Academy breaking down barriers and encouraging everyone to get involved and foster a love of music. Projects like this are extremely important for the people and communities of North Wales and I applaud their efforts.”
PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers stated: “Having somewhere to go where they can express themselves creatively and musically is vital for young people and that is why we are delighted to have provided funding for the Rockworks Academy through the Your Community, Your Choice scheme. It’s also yet another demonstration of how money seized from criminals can be put to good use in the service of the wider community.”
North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans said: “North Wales Police is delighted to fund what is another great example of the difference Your Community, Your Choice is making to communities right across North Wales and how the arts and music can help fight both disengagement and also fight crime. Organisations like this play a pivotal role in the communities of North Wales by providing invaluable services and activities that positively impact people’s lives.”
To learn more about PACT visit: www.pactnorthwales.co.uk
To learn more about The Rockworks Academy visit: www.therockworks.org