Music Bus helps children 'express themselves'

Lilly, 10, has learnt how to DJ on the Music Bus in Podsmead, Gloucester

A mobile recording studio is giving children in deprived areas the opportunity to "express themselves", a charity has said.

The Music Bus travels all over Gloucestershire giving young people the chance to write and record their own songs, play instruments and learn how to DJ.

Run by Gloucestershire-based charity The Music Works, it is aimed at making music more accessible for young people.

"You can play what you want and you can have fun, and express your emotions," said Lilly, aged 10.

The Music Bus is funded by a number of organisations including the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) which identifies areas of the county experiencing higher levels of deprivation.

It is also funded by the GSW Music Hub, a music education partnership for Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire.

"The Music Bus started about three years ago with a little bit of funding to refurbish this bus, kit it out with basically a studio on wheels," said Mikel Medley, youth support manager for Music Works.

"It's been hugely successful, it's almost a bit of a pilot to go round all over Gloucestershire to offer opportunities for kids to get into music and also reach rural areas."

The Music Bus travels all around Gloucestershire

It travels to different settings including children's summer programmes where in Podsmead, Gloucester, 10-year-old Malik has written his own rap.

"I really appreciate what they've been doing to me, they've been helping me even though I've struggled a bit in my lyrics," he said.

"My song is about what my hobbies are, where I'm from and how old I am."

10-year-old Malik has written a rap all about his favourite hobbies

"For me, seeing young people on the bus, it's like reaching people who wouldn't have the opportunity to do music or even know their full potential in life," said Mr Medley.

"For us it's really important that things like this happen.

"If the community invests in young people, then young people invest in the community."