A brand new creative hub has launched in Oxford city centre. It seeks to provide necessary music education and youth development to at-risk youth experiencing exclusionary practices, trauma and other adversities. Southwest based CIC In-Spire Sounds have created a massive space for creative use. This new space replaces their old ad hoc studio space and enhances their ability to reach folks in the surrounding region.
Kingsley Pratt-Boyden, the director of In-Spire Sounds, emphasized the importance of creating an environment that fosters creativity and support for young individuals. The new hub is 15 times the size of the previous studio space. It’s a vibrant, open space that allows for flexibility and creativity, which encourages youth to dive into their musical potential. A removable wall in the hub provided a perfect canvas for participants to share their inspirations. This ignites their inner potential and passions, blossoming their artistry.
Through In-Spire Sounds, it has been important for Jerin to extend beyond the walls of privilege and access to those who have been denied great barriers in education. The non-profit provides individualized music education and career mentoring programs. These initiatives give youth the opportunity to gain self-assurance and learn skills that extend well outside the classroom.
Pratt-Boyden remarked on the broader societal benefits of their work, stating, “Investing in preventative creative projects keeps people off the street and out of crisis.” This approach really highlights the organization’s dedication to getting down to the fundamental reasons for problems young people in Oxfordshire are dealing with.
Samuel Mansell, of In-Spire Sounds, provided a powerful example of how early intervention made a difference. He noted that while his brother struggled with education, criminality, and drug addiction, he is certain that if someone had intervened sooner, everything could have been different for him. His sentiments ring true with the home visiting organization’s tripartite motto to, “Love, Serve, and Provide,” long before the emergencies create.
In-Spire Sounds would like to encourage an environment that feels like home and not so much like a school. Pratt-Boyden articulated this vision, stating that their goal is not just to teach but to show young people “that they just need a different kind of support.”
The path to the new hub’s transformation came with both challenges and controversy. Pratt-Boyden humorously acknowledged the DIY efforts of the team: “None of us are particularly great at DIY, but we’ve all had to learn how to build recording booths and make sound panels.” This cooperative ethos is indicative of the whole team’s commitment to crafting an inviting, congenial space.
As In-Spire Sounds continues its mission in Oxfordshire, it reinforces the belief that investing in youth is crucial for building a brighter future. Pratt-Boyden encapsulated this notion by declaring, “We should be investing in our future, and our future is young people.”
