Norwich’s BE project ends after five years

Hannah Butcher at the BE Project at Open. Photo: Bill Smith (Image: Archant © 2014)

BE project, housed at the community based charity Future Projects in Norwich, has been using music and media to connect with disadvantaged 10 to 25-year-olds for the past five years.

Now the project is drawing to a close with a catalogue of successful projects to be proud of.

Ranging from a hip hop and classical crossover featuring Britten Sinfonia, to a young people's weekly radio show on Future Radio, summer and Easter schools and writing projects in the county's libraries.

BE project co-ordinator, Will Wilson, 37, admitted it is sad to end the scheme, funded from a £470,000 grant from Big Lottery, but he praised what it has achieved.

Chloe Donovan at the BE Project at Open. Photo: Bill Smith (Image: Archant © 2014)

'This programme has been empowering young people through engagement in different areas of music and media and attempting to work with local and national services to improve opportunities for young people,' he said.

'The programme offered support, advice, choice, friendship, inspiration and direction. Our approach has always been to get in amongst the young people we work with and talk to them on a level, a level which is common to both us and them.'

Since its formation in 2009, BE has helped 750 hard-to-reach young people to develop new skills, access support, jobs, education and training. It is the biggest project Future have undertaken.

The support side of the project, provided by BE, will be absorbed back in to other Future Projects, while the team seeks funding for more music-based ideas.

Soldier A performing at the BE Project at Open. Photo: Bill Smith (Image: Archant © 2014)

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