Always An Alternative
We are thrilled to announce that Always An Alternative are one of our 2024 £2000 grant recipients
Always An Alternative is an innovative charity organization, focused on the well-being of young people aged 10 to 24, is launching a groundbreaking project targeting the 18-24 age group. The charity is dedicated to challenging the mindset of youth, supporting them in making informed, positive life choices, and equipping them with skills for long-term success. With a core mission of reducing knife crime, gun crime, gang culture, and anti-social behavior, the organization seeks to address these pressing issues through alternative education and engagement methods.
The organization employs a variety of projects to connect with young minds, including youth clubs, knife crime awareness initiatives, weapon amnesty bins, weapon collections, and mentoring programs. More details on these initiatives can be found on their website and social media pages.
Our grant will be used to create a new Music Mentoring project which will focus on leveraging music as a medium to help young adults express their emotions and experiences related to knife crime and other violent crimes. This project unfolds in several stages:
Sourcing Artists: In the initial two weeks, the organization will collaborate with an existing music artist and their network, offering opportunities for young people to get involved via social media.
Mentorship Engagement: Over the next four weeks, a mindset mentor and a music mentor will engage with artists individually. This period involves one-on-one sessions to learn about each artist's journey with youth violence and to build a mutual understanding of the project's goals.
Song Creation: The following four weeks will be dedicated to writing lyrics, recording, and mentoring from a music producer and mindset mentor.
Reflection and Celebration: The final week will be devoted to celebrating the young people's achievements, emphasizing the importance of recognition to ensure they continue spreading positive messages about knife crime and youth violence.
The project aims and structure will help young adults articulate their trauma and raise awareness through music. Participants will create two songs, potentially in genres like Rap/Hip Hop and Garage/Baseline, depending on their preferences. Each group, consisting of 2 to 5 young adults, will receive:
7.5 Hours of Sessions: Discussions on knife crime, personal trauma, and related concerns.
4.5 Hours of Mentoring: Guidance in transforming their experiences into music.
4.5 Hours of Studio Time: Creating the beats and recording vocals.
Local successful music artists will be invited to interact with and congratulate the young participants upon completion. Each participant will also receive an award for their involvement.
The entire process will be documented, resulting in a documentary for each song to showcase the transformative power of music in addressing trauma related to knife crime and violence. Once completed, the songs and documentaries will be uploaded to YouTube and other social media platforms, ensuring the project's positive impact endures and has a lasting impact.
This one-time project aims to leave a lasting legacy, promoting continued education and positive messaging around knife crime. The charity will also connect young adults with necessary services for ongoing support.