Access to SiMPTI is a programme designed to provide music-making and training activities for young people who are ‘at risk of social exclusion’ within a safe, non-judgemental, nurturing, professional recording studio environment.

The aims of the programme are to:

– engage and inspire young people  – increase creative & technical skills  – enhance employability and well-being

The programme is aimed at young people (15-25 years) who live in Devon, have some previous experience in making music and are in one (or more) of the following groups:

• People who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
• People with mild mental or emotional issues.
• Neurodivergent people
• People from the LGBTQ+ community
• People living in poverty or experiencing homelessness

‘Pink is a young person who due to a number of issues including the impact of Covid 19 had stopped going out and was spending most of their time on their own in their room. Pink started writing songs using a ukulele and was given a guitar last Christmas which they taught themself to play

Becoming a voice over actor is Ben’s dream and he got to experience this when he stepped into the recording studio at the Sound Gallery in Exeter.

Emily was referred to Sound Gallery after her mum wanted to help her build her confidence and to have a greater understanding of her options after school.

Access to SiMPTI:

• increases confidence, resilience and self-esteem and improves well-being by engaging participants in meaningful activities, which include song-writing and music production
• enables participants to realise their creative ideas in a professional studio environment. 
• enhances cognitive and interpersonal skills and helps participants increase their employability, by imparting technical, IT and transferrable skills (eg. setting targets, milestones).
•  introduces participants to cutting-edge music technology software through music production and music technology sessions 
• enables participants to increase their knowledge about career paths in the music industry through music industry seminars.
• improves motivation and raises aspirations by engaging participants with positive role models and music industry professionals in a safe working environment.
• enables participants to create showreels which can be used as part of their CV or when applying for further training or employment.

“For me as his mum to see his eyes light up and him smile when he talks about the work he has done with Sound Gallery is very precious as a great deal of time I see my son really struggle just to cope with every day life. So a massive thanks you for the support you have given him and I hope so much we can continue with this provision. I truly feel that the Sound Gallery sessions have helped prevent my son being re-admitted to hospital”. – Participant’s parent

“I am writing to thank you for all of the support that Sound Gallery have provided to my son over the last 5 years as well as a number of other young people with similar difficulties. My son has a diagnosis of Autism and has struggled significantly with his mental health in recent years. He has always found music to be a way of expressing himself and his feelings and he has been able to do this in a structured and supported way with your team. My son, like many other young people can struggle with social isolation and finding his place in the world. We have found Sound Gallery to be a life-line in this respect. Despite his difficulties my son passed his BTEC music course at college, which I don’t think be would have managed without the additional tuition and support that he received from Sound Gallery. I have worked as a registered mental health nurse in the NHS for 22 years. In this time I have seen NHS and social care services reduce significantly for people, and am aware first hand of the impact that social enterprises can have for vulnerable people in bridging this gap. Sound Gallery have worked with my son and many other people to help them to find purpose in their life, to nurture a sense of achievement, and confidence and reduce social isolation. I will always be grateful for Sound Gallery for providing resources that main stream statutory services could not. I advocate both personally and professionally for the amazing difference that this organisation is making to the lives of so many young people. Thank you for all you do” (K.S. Psychosocial Lead for Day Programme/RMN , Personality Disorder Service – Iris Intensive Day Programme)

“St Peters Church of England Aided School is working in partnership with Sound Gallery CIC in delivering the Access to SiMPTI programme as part of the Soundwaves Breakthrough project supported by the Exeter Board Community Fund. Two students from St Peter’s are accessing the provision and the individual programme of support has had a significant impact on their confidence as learners” – Ian Duffelen, Head of Student Support

“King Edward Community College is working in partnership with Sound Gallery CIC in delivering the Access to SiMPTI programme as part of the Soundwaves Breakthrough project. Both the enthusiasm and support that we have enconutered whilst linking in with Sound Gallery have been second to none. We would have no hesitation in recommending Sound Gallery and are looking forward to developing future projects with them.” – Nicola Ambrose, Student Support, King Edward Community College 

“I really enjoyed it and felt very lucky to be have been given the opportunity, the more I record the more confident I get and I think I have improved since my first recording last year. Duncan was really nice, I think he understands my music and what I want to do. I think the more I record it will improve things like my timing and rhythm. Basically I really love the recording sessions and am very pleased that I had the chance to do more recording so thank you very much!’ Kiera – singer-songwriter

“Creatively, I feel more in control of what to do when recording” – D.P.

“Thank you for the skills and experience you have given me. I honestly had a great time with the team” – L.C.

“I have learned a lot about editing music and recording my lyrics. I have been using sounds that are unique and different so it’s making the music more unique to just standard hip hop.” – T.B.

“I have gained confidence with recording vocals and using music software and hopefully I can apply these skills at home.” – M.P.

“Musically the group have no real experience in instrumentation but have had singing and song writing experience through sessions at CEDA. They have only done small recording sessions, but never in a real recording studio environment. Socially they all interact well as a group, but this opportunity allowed some of them to lead upon this and allocate roles and sing in small groups as well. The motivation for the whole of the project was the responsibility that they developed themselves and to take on the whole aspects of it including promotion, marketing, song-writing and to overall raise money for them as a group to go on trips or to attend gigs.” – Mike Cook, CEDA music co-ordinator

“Due to the stigma attached with mental illness and psychosis makes it difficult to get together groups of young people, therefore assisting people as individuals to access mainstream community resources is what they try to aim for” – Caroline Oakford, Clinical leader, STEP team, Exeter

” Thank you for offering this to Dan, he is really looking forward to it, and can only enhance his studies at the Academy of Music and Sound in Exeter” – participant’s carer