Musical equipment donated by Home in Place is set to help young people explore their creativity and develop new skills at The Street University Newcastle.
Home in Place recently donated a digital piano, USB controller keyboard, keyboard stands and accessories to The Street University, a Ted Noffs Foundation initiative supporting young people aged 12 to 25.
With the equipment available for donation, the Home in Place team set out to find a community organisation where it could be put to good use and benefit young people.
Home in Place connected with The Street University at Hunter Homeless Connect Day, where the two organisations learnt more about each other’s work. The Street University team also learnt about Grow a Star, Home in Place’s youth scholarship program supporting young people to pursue their goals, reflecting a shared focus on creating opportunities for young people.
When an opportunity later arose to donate the musical equipment, The Street University was a natural fit.
The Street University Newcastle Manager Carly Kennedy said the organisation provides a safe, free and inclusive space where young people can explore their creativity, make connections, build skills and access support.
“Our services and resources are free for young people aged 12 to 25, including alcohol and other drug counselling,” Carly said.
The Newcastle centre includes a recording studio and band rehearsal space, along with instruments, art materials, photography and podcasting equipment and other creative resources.
Carly said the donated equipment would be put to good use by young people with a wide range of musical interests and experience.
“We have jazz musicians, a grunge band and hip-hop producers who can use the equipment in our rehearsal space and recording studio to produce quality, refined tracks,” she said.
“We also have young people who walk in and pick up an instrument for the first time. Hopefully, that helps them discover a new interest or develop a new skill.”
Carly said the shared focus on creating opportunities for young people could also open the door to Home in Place and The Street University working together in the future.
She said there was strong alignment between the work of The Street University and Home in Place’s Grow a Star program, and an opportunity to build on the connection for the benefit of young people.
Carly and Jesse from The Street University recently visited Home in Place’s Newcastle office to collect the equipment, ready for its next life in the hands of Newcastle’s young musicians.
