Before the lockdown a student takes part in a piano lesson in Trinity's music studios. Photo @ KoLAB Studios

When lockdown restrictions were announced Trinity's Music Team worked to move Making Tracks activity online.

So now instead of sessions in our building, young people meet with Tutors online for weekly music making sessions.

Since Mar 16, the team have worked with over 15 young people delivering music production workshops in: vocal tuition, guitar and bass tuition, songwriting, music production and skill sharing sessions. Tutors have also been creating online content, including short videos in industry skills and improving musical abilities. Emerging musicians from Making Tracks including Sam Neal have provided soundtracks.

"It's a lifeline. He loves it. It's really good for his mental health and autism to have these sessions scheduled during this time. It's really, really helping. Thank you so much'.

Parent of a Trinity Making Tracks young person

Partners ACE and Basement Studios continue to provide provisions, including checking in with young people online and providing workshops and bespoke masterclasses.

Trinity have hosted a virtual 3rd Space meeting, where organisations who provide music services for young people across Bristol come together and talk about ideas.

Making Tracks team members have also joined Youth Music’s online sessions; learning from and inputting to the wider sector transition to online working, safeguarding and working with young people who might not have access to equipment.

Making Tracks is supported by Youth Music and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, as well as support from match funders.

Image by Alistair Brookes

Are you aged 14-18 and of Black heritage? Join us and become part of this exciting programme...

Following an initial two-year investment from WeMove, Trinity has secured further funding to amplify the voices of young people through The Speak Out Collective.

“I was a part of the Speak Out Trinity session where we were able to explore and enhance our creativity, speak and express our thoughts on topics such as culture and creativity, and then develop a project or an idea afterward!”

This next phase will embed social action through creative practice, supporting young people to share their stories and learn from peers. We're welcoming back young people from previous Speak Out cohorts alongside a call out for young people in the community, primarily aged 14-18 and from Black heritage backgrounds to join this next part of the programme, which includes:

• Monthly collective sessions: Young people will co-create and, where appropriate, lead these sessions, shaping the content to meet their creative needs. These will be facilitated by Moyah and Sukina.
• One-to-one mentoring: Participants will receive monthly 1hr mentoring sessions with industry specialists to develop their creative practice and support personal growth.
• Creative commissions: Commissions to create a final piece, linked to their participation, which will be shared with their peers and an invited audience at the end of the year-long programme.

Key info

Collective sessions will be held on the second Monday of each month launching on 14th April.

Future dates: 12th May; June (TBC); 14th July; (August off); 8th September; 13th October; 10th November; 8th December; (January off); 9th February; 9th March; 13th April (Final Sharing Event).

Contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk to sign up.

The story so far...

Over the past two years, Speak Out has engaged young people in three cohorts, exploring themes of Home, Neurodiversity, and Future Proofing. This work has provided participants with a platform to develop their creative voices while gaining confidence and skills. Thanks to the exceptional work of previous cohorts, we have been fortunate to receive extension funding to continue and expand the project.

Speak Out has made a real difference in young people’s confidence and skills. Over the last two years:

The Speak Out Collective is a direct response to this consultation, ensuring young people continue to have a platform to express themselves creatively and shape their own narratives.

For more information, visit: Speak Out at Trinity

Gerry's Attic - Image Credit: Alastair Brookes

This World Mental Health Day, we are shining a light on some of the activities at Trinity that are specifically programmed to offer support and help improve mental wellbeing.

Next Gen Sounds

Our weekly, drop-in music sessions for young people, Next-Gen Sounds, serves as both a place for young people to collaborate on their musical projects in Trinity’s music studio, but also acts as a safe space for young people to seek support and engage with musicians as a way of improving mental wellbeing. Supported by Bristol-based Mental Health charity ‘Off The Record’, Next-Gen Sounds has played a vital role in supporting young musicians – many of whom are from challenging circumstances – by harnessing the transformative potential of creativity to enhance their mental and emotional resilience.

Community Volunteer Gardening

Trinity's fortnightly Community Volunteer Gardening sessions are relaxed, informal, practical gardening sessions to support the Trinity Community Garden's maintenance and upkeep. Gardening is known to have a profoundly positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. The act of nurturing plants and witnessing their growth fosters a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Gardening encourages mindfulness, reducing stress and anxiety while promoting relaxation. Trinity's Community Volunteer Gardening sessions are very important to people living in the local area, many of whom live in high-rise flats and therefore may not have access to green space of their own, and without Trinity's Community Garden may not gain the positive effects that gardening has on improving mental health and wellbeing.

FAB Disco

FAB Disco is a disco for anyone over the age of 50, delivered in partnership Friends Ageing Better (FAB) and Eastside Community Trust. Isolation and loneliness are all too common among older people, and FAB Disco offers a space for people to socialise, listen to music, and dance together, all of which are proven to have a positive impact on mental health. Music can significantly enhance the mental health of older people by offering emotional support, triggering positive memories, and promoting relaxation. It fosters social connections, reduces stress, and provides an avenue for self-expression, contributing to improved emotional well-being, cognitive function, and overall quality of life.

Creative Wellbeing Workshops

At Trinity, we run Creative Wellbeing Workshops in collaboration with Age UK and Alive Activities. These workshops are a safe and welcoming space for people to take part in arts and crafts activities and to learn more about ways to look after themselves and relax. The sessions are aimed at bringing together individuals from different cultures within the community to explore and share their emotions in a creative and fun way. Using different art materials to express emotion acts as a valuable means of expressing and connecting with emotions, and engaging in this process in the company of other people from the local community can provide the opportunity to increase our understanding of and empathy for each other

Trinity Presents: Bristol Dances, will include young people from Making Tracks performing. Photo @ Alexa Ledecky

Older people dance group Gerry's Attic will perform. The group are supported by Trinity through the community initiative scheme. Supporting community groups with over 4000 hours of free or subsided hall hire. Photo @ Gerry's Attic

 

Award winning youth urban dance outfit Hype will perform alongside other Bristol performers. Here they perform during Trinity's Annual Garden Party. Photo @ Jessica Bartolini

2 O'Clock Beauty Queens

BollyRed Dance Company: Bollywood with a twist

Swing  Dance and Bristol Swing Dance

Trinity Presents: Bristol Dances Stage

Head to Millennium and get ready to experience dance in its many forms this year at the first-ever Trinity Presents: Bristol Dances Stage (Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July 2019).

The programme offers an exiting selection of performances and workshops from some of the best dance companies and communities thriving in Bristol - from Hip Hop, street dance, Bollywood, swing, salsa, Brazilian styles, funk, cabaret and drag.

Not to be missed moments include a swing dance party hosted by both Bristol Swing Dance and Bristol Swing Riot, a Ceilidh Dance with Mr Medler, and a cabaret and drag extravaganza curated by Eat Sleep Drag Repeat.

Gerry’s Attic, an older peoples dance company who are known for their Dance festival Full Bloom, and the award winning young people’s street dance Hype Dance Company feature on this year's programme. Both are community groups that use Trinity to run regular activities - supported through our Community Initiative a scheme that offers over 4000 hours of free or subsidised hall space each year.

There is also an opportunity for young people who take part in our collaborative music making project Making Tracks to showcase their talents on the Making Tracks Showcase. The project is a partnership between Basement Studios, Aspiration Creation Elevation (ACE@Docklands) and Trinity who offer young people in Bristol who are struggling with challenging personal circumstances life changing music making experiences.

There will also be plenty of chances for younger visitors to move their feet thanks to family-friendly sessions each morning.

Check out the full Harbourfest programme here.

Making Tracks is supported by Youth Music and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, as well as support from match funders.

Heather has worked for the BBC and ITV developing and creating content for clients such as The Mercury Prize. You can check out the podcast and some brilliant content she has created here https://www.instagram.com/neverseentheoc/ 

Thanks to our Making Tracks programme funders Youth Music for enabling us to create this brilliant top tips video.

This is brought to you by Trinity Presents. Click here to see more arts, community, well-being and education content or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Trinity are working with external artists, partners and organisations as part of Trinity Presents Online to provide exciting content, relevant to Trinity's diverse audiences and in line with our Equal Opportunities and Free Speech Policies. Click here for more information about our Policies. While we endeavour to ensure content we share is relevant and appropriate, Trinity is not responsible for individual content created by third parties.

Xyzelle, Sealvia and Chantaleaze - students from project partners ACE perform at Trinity's Festival of Light. Photo Khali Ackford

1. Playing at the Unity stage at St Pauls Carnival

"The Carnival Stage provided an excellent opportunity for young people to perform at one of the City's most significant and historic cultural events. It was great to have staff and  young people across the Making Tracks programme there on the day." Darren Alexander, ACE.

Josh Carter practices singing in one of our recording studios during the Summer Sessions at Trinity (photo @ Alastair Brookes)

2. Summer Sessions at Trinity

"Trinity's in house annual summer workshop and live performance event. Held over two days in August. Working in partnership with Access Creative College Bristol, who delivered bespoke DJ and Film sound workshops." Dave Thomas, Trinity Community Arts

Making Tracks showcase at Trinity's Festival of Light (photo @ Khali Ackford)

3. Youth Music Showcase at Festival of Light

"The Festival of Light provided our young people with the biggest audience of their music journeys so far. The sound quality was amazing and the experience provided a taste of what a professional performance feels like." Darren Alexander, ACE.

Area of Effect play on the main stage at Trinity's annual Garden Party (photo @ Jesscia Bartolini)

4. Youth Music Stage, Trinity Garden Party

"Area of Effect rock band opening on main stage. Seeing these three 15 year-olds rise to the amazing opportunity of performing their set with hi spec stage and PA  and at such a public event was so exciting. It really upped their expectations and motivation in terms of performance, and it also opened them up to 1:2:1: music development and support." Troy Tanska, Basement Studios

5. End of Year Showcase Party, Trinity

"I was really proud of the range of performances - from those who'd never made music in front of others, to performances good enough to charge for. They were really respectful and supportive of each other - even though there were such varied genres and skills. It was a massive highlight seeing a young person who had such a difficult time in the past, but who turned their life around since being part of Making Tracks in the summer and is now at music college, absolutely smash it centre-stage. Such an honour to see the power of music in action." Troy Tanska, Basement Studios

Performances by young people marked the end of the two day sessions Photo by Jack Offord

Miss Tee taking a break from music production Photo by Jack Offord

Saffron Records hosted insightful conversations about the role on women in the music industry Photo by Jack Offord

Trinity staff hosted workshops in music making Photo by Jack Offord

Students joined in conversations hosted by Saffron Records Photo by Jack Offord

Young people have the opportunity to take part in 121's with music professionals Photo by Jack Offord

Making sound from found sound with Access Creative College Photo by Jack Offord

Over two days young people, who take part in the Making Tracks youth music project, came together to explore new musical possibilities and gain industry insights.

Following on the success of last years sessions we invited Access Creative College back to deliver workshops in music production. This year was all about experimental sound and students went around the building, recorded found sounds that were then sampled and then used to create unique sounding beats.

We also invited Ngaio and Kayla Painter from Bristol based Saffron Records, who work to create more representation of women in the music industry, down. They hosted two motivational discussion based workshops exploring the current roles and opportunities available to women within the music industry.

"Coming here has given me something to look forward to and has helped me with my mental health especially interacting with others. It helps me have a voice." 
Kevin, Making Tracks Participant

Trinity tutors were also on hand to lead sessions in song writing and recording alongside supporting young people during the final live performances. 

Over the two days 28 young people came along – some coming "to meet other musicians and collaborate" and others well,  "because music is life".

These sessions form just part of the many music making opportunities available to young people as part of the Youth Music funded Making Tracks project.

If you are a young person or know a young person who would like to take part in the Making Tracks project then get in touch with Dave Thomas, Trinity’s Youth Activities Manager.

One day, a baby clown accidentally bounces off a passing circus train and is left in the middle of nowhere, separated from family and friends.

A little reluctantly at first, the farmer takes the clown in. As time passes, they discover that by being with each other, they find something new in themselves.

Made with consultation from Deaf Access and Visual Language consultants, Flibbertigibbet Theatre has adapted this picture book by award-winning author and illustrator, Marla Frazee, into a new wordless play for all ages.

Playing without words, the show is accessible to a wide range of audiences. They worked with  a Visual Language consultant and Deaf Access Support consultant, to ensure that the physical language created for the storytelling is clear and accessible for all audiences, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Anyone who does not speak English can still enjoy the show as language is not an issue.

The story delicately explores themes of loneliness, friendship, and care, across the divisions of age and community.

‘UTTERLY HEARTWARMING AND RELATABLE…. What Flibbertigibbet have created is a beautiful, simple, and charming piece of theatre, suitable for all.” Bristol 24/7

Buy Tickets

12pm Ticket Link

3pm Ticket Link

This is a Trinity Presents event.

Activities will run during the scheduled times below and will feature music production, videography / photography, vocal recording, graffiti, DJing, dance and more. Sessions will be held at the Trinity Centre, Bristol.

The programme has been created by Youth-Organisation, The Cause and Trinity Community Arts.

Dates:

• Friday 18th August 12pm – 3pm (launch session)
• Monday 21st August - 1pm - 3pm
• Wednesday 23rd August - 1pm - 3pm
• Friday 25th August - 1pm - 3pm
• Wednesday 30th August - 1pm - 3pm
• Friday 1st September - 1pm – 3pm

Photo @ KoLAB Studios

“I just learned to channel my anger, emotions, my energy in a good way, so I could create something I could be proud of... I'm just going to keep following that path of love, loving what I do and loving how I do it and just see where it gets me, coz that’s all I can do.” Miss Tee

Tenisha is a young single parent whose situation has turned around over the last two years with support from Trinity.

From being someone with very little confidence who described herself as ‘a negative person’ Tenisha has used her involvement with Making Tracks to develop a positive approach to life, both personally and professionally.

Her lyric writing, singing, microphone use and music production skills have improved significantly. She has become increasingly independent and her confidence has blossomed, evidenced in her three live performances in front of large crowds this year.

“They (Trinity) showed me I could do more with my music, that I am my music, and to embrace my music. They made me understand that context, and the confidence helped me build it too... It’s a big step for me, and it’s scary too, but they've helped me every step of the way and I'm so grateful... It’s made me more independent and that is making me overcome a lot of other fears. The whole coming out of my shell, being who I really want to be, and doing what I love...”

Tenisha has developed a strong musical relationship with Trinity staff who have challenged and supported her in a way that has encouraged her growth, personally and musically, her self-discipline and self-belief.

Having now joined PRS as an artist in her own right Tenisha’s next steps include producing an EP of original music and releasing it across multiple platforms. She’s also keen to mentor other young people, pushing them forward in a way she feels she was never pushed until now.

“Overall we're incredibly pleased with her. I'm really happy for her because it's going to keep going, it’s not the top of the hill yet, so she will stay involved.” Al Howard,Trinity staff member

Stay & Play is a regular Friday session, but these extended Stay & Play sessions  will be running for six weeks, every Friday, from the 23rd July – 23rd Aug.

No need to book or sign up, just come along.

Summer Family Sessions are programmed in partnership with Trinity and Central Bristol Children's Centre

Taking place in the Community Garden and in the building children (and their grown-ups) can take part in nature and outdoor play, sensory trails and play-based activities.

Each session will have friendly experienced staff from Central Bristol Children's Centre available throughout the session to support and offer advice around child development, health and wellbeing, finances, free nursery places for two and three year olds and training opportunities.

Delivered in partnership with Lawrence Hill Health Centre.

Dates of sessions:

• Friday 28 July
• Friday 04 August
• Friday 11 August
• Friday 18 August
• Friday 25 August

Please note children must be accompanied at all times, and the parent or guardian will be responsible for the children during their visit to The Trinity and during any performance events connected to this project.

Young people are invited to come along to the two-day consultation to share insights and experience of accessing culture and creativity and explore questions such as ‘what does creativity and art mean'.

On hand will be Speak Out facilitators Moyah and Natasha Gatward alongside Bristol City Poet Sukina Noor who will be present to help shape ideas, host creative games and lead sessions.

Plus - snacks and lunch will be provided and young people are able to claim vouchers for attending the sessions.

What you need to know:

When: Sessions are on 30/31 October 2024, 11am – 2pm

Where: The Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, Bristol, BS5 0NW

How to sign up: We are sorry but the event is now full. If you would like to join the waiting list please email sarahf@trinitybristol.org.uk

About Speak Out

Speak Out is supported by the We Move Fund: Youth Social Action aims to empower Black children and young people through Youth Social Action. Speak Out was developed following an Indepth consultation with over 150 young people that took place across in person events; performances and within education settings.

Are you aged 16yr-18yr

Would you like to learn or develop your music, writing, production or performance skills?

Join up to this free course with bilingual Rapper/ Afrofusion Artist MoYah and learn more about expressing yourself through creativity

How to take part:

You can register online using this form

If you would like any help with completing the form please email liamc@trinitybristol.org.uk

Food provided

Transport to sessions subsidised