A Sector Solution case study of GSAM, following the progress of a "dyspraxic Rotherham teen".
LW, 15, found that he struggled at school due to teachers not understanding that his dyspraxia meant he could not work at the same speed as other students. This continued lack of awareness resulted in LW feeling depressed and unable to cope. GSAM provided an outlet for him to focus on what he loved and since joining he has attended weekly classes, achieved an NCFE (a leading provider of national qualifications) award and played to live audiences.
GSAM aims to change peoples' lives through music, no matter what age, background or ambition. Throughout its fifteen years of operation, it has always strived to improve and therefore welcomed Sector Solutions' input.
After a thorough investigation Sector Solutions recommended an action plan which focused on sustainability, this included assisting GSAM with securing a Targeted Support Fund. The money from this fund has resulted in GSAM investing in staff and equipment to ensure that students have the facilities they need.
LW said: "I like coming to Get Sorted because there are lots of interesting activities to get involved in which helps me work towards my desired future career as a professional sound engineer".
In addition to building on his ambitions, LW has noticed that due to his drum playing his muscle coordination, which previously caused him problems, has improved and knowing that his Dyspraxia does not hinder him in achieving his goals has increased his confidence. He has now set his sights on further music technology training and is applying for college to study music. He has even encouraged one of his peers to achieve a NCFE award in music performance.
Genya Johnson at GSAM said: "We've many success stories similar to that of LW's, as some of our students come from really difficult backgrounds but have managed to turn their lives around. One of our students has even gone on to become a guitar tech for a popular rock band!
"Sector Solutions provided us with an outside perspective and gave us some great ideas on how to improve. We hope to help many more people like LW and with Sector Solution's help, we know we can."All of the training that GSAM has accessed via Sector Solutions has been funded through the Big Lottery funded BASIS (Building and Sustaining Infrastructure Services) grant, the aim of which is to address the skills gap in the South Yorkshire labour market by developing community based learning providers i.e Sector Solutions' partners. The organisation has never held a Sector Solutions contract to deliver a training programme, but the fact that it has received significant amounts of funding to enable it to make a difference to people's lives is testament to the benefits of being a Sector Solutions Partner.
