“Young People From The YMCA Release Their Own Charity Album”

Event – Album Launch 27^th January Open Night Club at 3.30pm

A group of YMCA residents and staff have teamed up with youth arts organisation Culture Works East to create a completely original charity album from the cover design to the lyrics and music of all 8 tracks. Launched on 27^th January 2012 “Right Tracks” features everything from rap, rock to R&B and easy listening and will be available as a CD or digital download. All proceeds will go to YMCA Norfolk.

“Right Tracks” has offered a unique opportunity for young people not in employment, education or training to develop skills alongside a real-life project. Over the last 10 weeks the young participants have been responsible for the design, marketing and launch of the album. Working with industry professionals they have found out about what it takes to work in the music industry – including album design, marketing, social media, budgeting and advertising - even making their own radio advert to be aired on Future Radio!

Taking part in master classes, vocational tasters, specially developed training and 1-2-1 business mentoring and setting up their own project management group the young music promoters have been able to build their CV, develop confidence, communication and other skills attractive to employers. They will also gain a Silver Arts Award.

Quote from Tim Sweeting, Chief Executive of YMCA:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with culture works to create our first charity album to promote gifts of our amazing young people who will be using and developing their talent for design, promotion, sound technology and other industry skills as well as expressing their own story through music.”

Quote from Elli Chapman, Director at Culture Works East:

“Right Tracks” is an exciting project that gives participants a unique insight into the music promotion and event management whilst gaining firsthand experience of what it is like to work in the creative industries. They are working alongside inspirational industry experts and tutors to help them develop all the skills required to bring their ideas to life. “Right Tracks” has gives them a chance to get their voices heard in the community, to participate in decision making, showcase their talents, develop life-long skills, improved personal and social skills and explore potential career pathways. Already participants are discussing how they might use their experience in the future including becoming a volunteer at community station Future Radio, using it to gain a place on training courses or going into an apprenticeship.”

Quote from Sonya Dover, member of Right Tracks Production Group: “We have taken a lead role in the promotion, designing, marketing and all organising of the album launch. I have been in charge of doing things like press releases and creating marketing materials. This album is being produced to raise money for the YMCA to help a wide variety of vulnerable young people. The album will be a compilation of songs that should appeal to a wide group of people, from young people to the older generation. The money raised will contribute to homelessness, training, education and making sure that people get back on the right track.

She goes onto say: “It has been produced to raise awareness about the YMCA and how they have helped young people who now want to pay back the favour and help the YMCA with more funds so that they can carry on with helping other vulnerable young people. Most people can relate to music when they are having a hard time and can find that it can help them get back on the right track.”

For more information and to purchase the album go to: www.ymca-norfolk.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

Photo opportunity available at Right Tracks Abum Launch. To attend the private view, interviews, library images or more information please contact:

Elli Chapman 07917 418 560 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Right Tracks course has been made possible by Youth East Works, a regional project led in Norfolk by City College Norwich, funded by European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency. Youth East Works aims to support progression into Apprenticeships - achieved through the provision of a tailor made programme for each participant, supported by a trained mentor.

Culture Works is an exciting youth arts company based in Norwich. For more information on Culture Works please contact Elli Chapman on 01603 626548 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

YMCA Norfolk is an inclusive Christian organisation, transforming communities across Norfolk so that young people truly belong, contribute and thrive.

Listen to the Right Tracks Radio Advert