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‘In the Mix’ and improving prospects
Young people from Atherton, Tyldesley and
Leigh hit the decks recently for a DJing masterclass.
Delivered by Manchester based ‘Decks for Schools’, ‘In the Mix’ showed
young people the basics about scratching, mixing, blending and the like,
exploring a number of musical genres including hip hop, R&B and dance.
All the 14 to 18 year-olds who took part in the project had no previous
experience in DJing and MCing. But Manchester City College music
lecturer Mark McKinley from ‘Decks for Schools’, who has DJed at a host
of clubs, including Maximes in Wigan and Eden in Ibiza, says the young
participants showed lots of musical ability throughout the five session
course at Tyldesley Youth Club on Upper George Street.
“The young people put a lot into it, and they’ve taken a lot from it.
They wrote their own lyrics and a couple of the lads in particular
showed a lot of natural talent and great timing. It might be that some
of them go on to study music at college or that they take up DJing and
MCing in their spare time as a way of making a bit of money.”
All the young people who completed ‘In the Mix’ will be awarded a
certificate of accreditation from City College Manchester. The project
was funded and organised in partnership by Wigan Council Children and
Young People’s Services (CYPS) and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.
CYPS Youth Worker Cathy Todd says: “Music is a really good tool for us
as youth workers. By doing something young people enjoy we are able to
find out what sort of jobs or courses they might be interested in.
“It also allows us to tap into any other issues that might be affecting
them and we can point them in the direction of services that can help.”
‘In The Mix’ was part of this year’s U Project, which gives school
leavers who are unsure about their futures the chance to explore career
and educational opportunities, whilst engaging in a range of challenging
activities. The U Project is delivered by the Wigan Council Children and
Young People’s Services (CYPS) Youth Service and it has helped improve
the prospects of hundreds of young people in recent years.
This year, the six CYPS Wigan Borough Youth Service Area Teams and the
Wigan Council Aftercare team each delivered projects as part of the
initiative. Young people took part in all sorts of activities and
training including: First Aid, Compulsory Basic motorcycle Training
(CBT), Fire Awareness at Wigan Fire Station, visits to the local
Connexions Centre, kayaking, climbing and problem solving.
CYPS Manager for Youth Development Sheila Martland says: “Leaving school
is exciting but it can also be daunting. The U Project is hugely
successful in engaging those who might be a little bit unsure about what
they want to do next in lots of positive activities that lead to
personal development. It keeps young people occupied and puts them in
contact with people who can offer sound advice and guidance.
“Whilst the main focus is to help young people make their next career
step, they also gain accreditation and have a lot of fun too. I would
like to congratulate all the young people who took part in this year’s U
Project on their excellent work and achievements. I would also like to
thank all the youth workers, Connexions Personal Advisors, Education
Welfare Officers and partner agencies involved in delivering the
programme.”
Celebration evenings to mark the success of the U Project will be held
in Wigan and Leigh in October. The young people who took part in ‘In the
Mix’ will perform at the Leigh event.
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Notes to Editors
Photo attached
• Please find attached a photo of Matthew Corbett (16), Mark McKinley
(Decks for Schools) and Ryan Guest (16) during ‘In the Mix’ at Tyldesley
Youth Club.
Further information
• For further information please telephone Kennedy Stewart, Young
People’s Press Officer at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, on (01942)
486927.
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