Helping to bring music to the city

Sunday 1 July 2012

THE sundayheraldband would not be able to take to the T Break Stage next Saturday if it wasn't for the masses of help they've received.

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One of their backers is Glasgow UNESCO, City of Music who kindly organised for music tutors from the Wellhouse Community Trust, a hub tucked away in the heart of Glasgow's Easterhouse, to give us extra tuition.

The trust runs projects for people living in the whole of the sprawling Greater Easterhouse area, which is recognised as one of the most deprived wards in Scotland and historically has battled problems with gang fighting and anti-social behaviour.Music co-ordinator Ross Ferguson, 29, says the independent charity, launched in 2003 by local people, is a lifeline for the people in the community. "I really don't know what would happen if the trust wasn't here," he admits."Easterhouse was an area which was suffering from anti-social behaviour. But we've been providing diversionary activities to limit this."On a typical morning the building is buzzing with excitement. With more than 30 volunteers and around a dozen staff, groups of people flock in and out to use the various rooms, computers or the cafe."It was set up to provide opportunities for the people of Wellhouse," says Ross. "It's for the elderly, it's for young people, people with disabilities and everyone in between."The group tries to find opportunities for employment by continually making volunteer positions.Wellhouse works with other community organisations in a partnership approach. The trust has teamed up with the Job Centre and nearby John Wheatley College to help get people back into work and offer courses."The Job Centre refer people to us," says Ross. "I suppose one of the good things about us is that the government and the Job Centre recognise what we're bringing to communities. We have the face time with people. We're all on first name terms with the majority of people and we try to match people to jobs."The trust is also trying to get people into employment whether they're fresh out of school or have been out of work for years. And they're using music to do so. On Thursday they opened The Music Room, a studio which will be used by people of all ages hoping to learn music skills and as part of the Innerzone Youth Group.Soundhire is a social enterprise recently set up by the group. With it they hope to create employment for people who want a job in the music industry by training young people to become tutors. And it's those tutors who are helping the sundayheraldband members perfect their technique."We've got a couple of PA systems and equipment," says Ross. "We hire that out to other local organisations, musicians and bands. And we encourage the young folk to get out and play weddings, clubs, old folks homes and make money out of it.Wellhouse works closely with Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, which is a partner of Hear Glasgow! – a Creative Scotland YMI funded project. Ambassadors include Billy Connolly and Alex Kapranos.Katie Duffy of the project says: "Part of the role of Hear Glasgow! is to closely support and represent the youth music sector in the city in order to grow the access and quality of music making opportunities."Wellhouse Community Trust makes a significant contribution to youth music in Glasgow by constantly looking to develop such opportunities for young people in the Wellhouse area through the MIMA project (Music Industry Made Accessible)."Their work has helped many young people find their own pathways to making music and so it was the perfect fit for MIMA and Hear Glasgow! to contribute to the journey of the sundayheraldband."

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Helping to bring music to the city

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