The Forest Music Hub

The Forest Community Music Hub

by The Music Works in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

A transformative project created by and for young people in the Forest of Dean. Help us make this state-of-the-art music facility a reality, providing activities, training, events, and jobs for the community. We've already raised £850,000 to make this happen, and with your support, we can reach our final target. 

We’re aiming to raise £15,000 through this community appeal. Join us in shaping a vibrant future for music in the Forest.

About The Music Works

The Music Works started nearly 20 years ago in the Forest of Dean (shout out to Mark Bick our founder) as Forest of Dean Music Makers. Since then we have been dedicated to empowering young people and using the power of music to develop their confidence and self-belief. We work with over 4,000 young people a year and see the difference music makes to them all the time. We provide activities for everyone – from those who just want to listen to music with their friends to those who want to have a career in the industry. 

A 2021 survey of young people in the Forest of Dean found that for nearly three quarters of them music is their number one thing but most of them feel there is nowhere for them to go to make it or listen to it.

"Anytime I want to do anything I have to ask my dad or get a bus and they’re so rubbish you don’t bother.”

“There is nothing to do with my friends. We just walk around endlessly.”

“You’re separated from everywhere”

So we want to come back to our roots and help give young people in the Forest an amazing space that will give them things to do, make new friends and feel proud of the place that they live.

The Forest Community Music Hub 

We’ve spent the last year, working with local young people to design the Forest Music Hub. Cinderford town council kindly leased us on a peppercorn rent the old HSBC bank right in the centre of Cinderford. 

The facilities at The Hub will be really high quality, industry standard that means a high standard of music recording can be achieved but also young people will gain skills as engineers, producers that can be transferred all over the country. We have designed an inspiring, eco-friendly, and professional space that spans 1537 square feet and includes: 

• A production room and broadcasting room for producing, radio, podcasting

• A live studio and sensory room: for rehearsals as well as specialist equipment so that disabled young people can make music

• A music equipment store to help lend out equipkment

• An outdoor performance and social area 

• An office/collaboration space 

• A social/workspace area 

• A digital suite 

• A changing places toilet with a hoist and changing platform, providing an inclusive restroom for the entire Cinderford community

What Will The Hub Offer? 

The Hub will provide activities for young people and the community in the Forest, including

• Targeted provision: Personalised one to one music mentoring that is used to support young people with mental health challenges, or who are disengaged from school or who have additional needs.  
• After-school, evening, weekend, and holiday activities: Band development sessions, music production courses, vocal sessions,
• Artist development and creative careers: Mentoring, industry talks, networking, and collaboration with local and national organizations to offer work experience and career opportunities.
• Community performances: Showcasing young talent in front of local audiences and expanding the events programme across the Forest
• Community outreach: Taking music to isolated areas through our Mobile Music Bus
• Community use: Affordable rental space for artists, bands, and DJs, providing employment opportunities for our young studio engineers.

Getting around the Forest

While the Forest Hub is in Cinderford we will use our Music Bus and our partnership with Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership to reach the wider Forest community.

Making a donation

Because this is a community Hub we want as many people as possible to be a part of making it happen. Any size of donation is welcome and will be really gratefully received.