A CREATIVE COMMUNITY CENTRE
AT MAKER HEIGHTS, CORNWALL
WHO WE ARe
We are a small team of passionate musicians and creatives who believe that music and art has the power to change lives. As a social enterprise, we work hard to improve social mobility, integration, and rural community retention, while promoting cultural awareness and creative celebration. Any and all profits are reinvested into our community missions, helping us to keep the lights on in our community spaces, and continue to encourage and inspire diverse creative talent to visit and flourish on the Rame Peninsula and beyond.
Alongside his work as a sound engineer and producer, Will has been been running community music programmes that have helped young people develop confidence and abilities through music for over 16 years. Tom, now a touring musician, designer and events coordinator and Josh, a session musician, sound engineer and producer, are both products of these groups and now lead their own successful careers in music.
Together we established Patchwork Studios, a recording studio, performance venue and writing retreat under one roof, the Barrack building at Maker Heights. We’re a community-focused organisation run largely by volunteers, curating a range of creative events and activities designed to inspire, empower and entertain. We strive to be as inclusive of the diverse community around us as physically possible, with a strong emphasis on youth development.
THE CHALLENGE
The Southwest of England has historically suffered from poor employment opportunities, limited recreational amenities, a decline in public sector funding, geographical isolation and poor public transport infrastructure. As a direct result, issues such as drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and eating disorders are far from uncommon, with young people being the most vulnerable and susceptible.
Funding for vital social services has been slashed in the last decade, and the effects of that cannot be clearer. The sharp rise in mental health issues and tragic youth suicide rates are root and core problems that cannot be solved by a focus on police and healthcare intervention alone. Unfortunately creative education in our local schools is also drastically underfunded, leaving generations with so many less opportunities than ever before.
There has always been a diverse range of artistic and musical talent within the Rame Peninsula. A steady decline of grassroots venues, especially those open to and supportive of young musicians, means there are now seldom opportunities for new and would-be musicians to develop their craft, and very few platforms for them to showcase that progress among their peers. The formation of new bands is in rapid decline.
OUR SOLUTION
Engaging in creative outlets such as art, music, performance and film are all proven to help young people overcome challenges by encouraging personal development, social interaction and productive behaviour, building confidence and providing inspiration. We ourselves are living proof that this can result in exciting career opportunities within the music industry.
To affect change on a larger scale, one must begin at home. Dream global, act local, as the saying goes. We strongly believe that music and art can improve confidence and cultural enrichment, whilst developing corr skills, bringing people together and strengthening communities. Our aim is to insure the creative arts have a stronghold in South East Cornwall, with young people at the forefront of our project.
We provide a user-led facility that embraces this concept, focusing on young and vulnerable people yet bringing all ages together through music, performance, art and film in a safe, nurturing environment open to all on the Rame Peninsula and beyond. Patchwork Studios mentor, encourage, inspire and develop creative skills and present opportunities to write, play and perform with established musicians, whilst actively promoting gender equality and tackling discrimination within the music industry.