► Projects
Beatz Break Barriers
What is it?
It is a 60 hour urban music and dance project for young Hyde Martlet residents living in the Chichester area. Young people are taught by student volunteers from the University of Chichester who are undertaking relevant degree courses and the work carried out by those students forms part of the courses they are doing.
The course covers various disciplines such as street dance, contemporary dance and parkour, along with DJ-ing skills, music production and film making. Young people are given the choice of the disciplines they would like to take part in and spend the time concentrating on their own area of interest. The young people then come together to produce and perform a final showcase which is open to the public.
Aims of the project:
• To improve students employment prospects, by giving them something unique to put on their CV.
• To receive a V-Inspired accreditation.
• To gain credits towards ‘The Chichester Award’.
• To give students an opportunity to learn new skills such as teaching, working with young people, and organising events.
• To provide volunteering opportunities for students at The University of Chichester so that they are able to use their skills in a way that will lead to professional and personal development.
• To give local young people the opportunity to be involved in a project that this culturally relevant, is innovative and will stimulate them to overcome problems and low aspirations.
• To improve the life chances of young Hyde residents by increasing opportunities for them.
• To allow young people the opportunity to work towards receiving an Arts Award accreditation.
• To promote health and well-being activities to students and the community.
Testimonials from student volunteers on the project:
"Having the opportunity to take part in this Beatz Break Barriers project has been a really valuable experience. I went through an array of emotions during this project. I was filled with excitement at starting the project, but at the same time completely apprehensive at the thought of working with a bunch of stubborn teenagers, a little frazzled from LOTS of hard work trying to get the piece together, but by the end I was bursting with pride at what we’d achieved together! Working with the girls started off as a challenge (not as much of a challenge as the boys!), but once we’d all got to know each other it was something that I looked forward to every week. I was really surprised at the initiative the girls had, and how hard they worked. They often came into the workshops with extra work they’d done together, or new ideas they’d thought up, which made my job so much easier. Through BBB, I learnt so much about motivating teenagers and helping them channel their natural talents and creativity into producing something amazing. I can’t wait to start the next project!"
Victoria Kendall
Dance Student
"My experience as a volunteer in Beatz Breakz Barriers helped me to improve my assertiveness and communication skills. I was able to apply my technical skills in a presentation format which was a new experience. I was also the first time I have ever been filmed hosting a beatbox battle which was a big challenge for me but I overcome my fears of public speaking and felt it was a big achievement. Out of this I felt I was able to bring out their musical skills and managed to produce several very talented beatboxers. The youth were on the best behaviour throughout and apart from the odd little tantrum here and there they behaved themselves. Being involved in this project also inspired me to create a website of my own teaching beatboxing."
Dominic McMahon
Music Student
Testimonials from the youth on the project:
• “This project Rocks!”
• “This thing is legendary, its cool as pie”
• “This project has helped me make new friends and has helped me share my ideas and show people what I can do….thanks to Casper, Rachel, Amber, Phil and Andy”
• “I think this project has helped me make new friends and I think the ideas we make are totally awesome”
• “can’t wait to plan the final routine :} x”
• “Oh no last day wish it cood last for ever”
• “tonight was wicked cannot wait to come back and to do the next one i hope to see you all soon and a very big thank you to every one you has helped us to do this project x”
• “To all the dancers, free runners, djs and everyone who helped run the event. I really enjoyed watching the show tonight, you guys are a true inspiration to everyone who in the future will join the Beatz Break Barriers future events. I look forward to seeing more of it all!”
