Hi-watt donate amps to Get Sorted

Hiwatt is 'the classic British Rock 'n' Roll Amplifier' and now has donated equipment to Get Sorted! 

Hiwatt have kindly provided us with 2 guitar amplifiers for our sponsorship to encourage young people to learn about music and musical instruments. Hiwatt provide amplifiers and technical support to many famous bands such as Coldplay, The Killers, The Enemy and Arctic Monkeys and we are proud and grateful for the support of this great brand!

Below is a link to the amps provided!

Evil Dave Industries

Get Sorted has been around for years - changing lives through music - and many interesting people have passed through the doors. Here is a quick look at an old Get Sorted employee 'Evil' Dave White! 

Back in the lates 90's and early 00's, Dave White used to be work as Soundman and promoter for the Wellington Boot! Back in those days Get Sorted was based across the road, ands the Welly was a pub. Every Tuesday about 100 young people used to descend on the Welly to witness some of the UK's best touring bands... and Dave would be at the helm, channeling their sounds through the PA system! 

Nowadays, Dave is a Guitar tech for Kasabian (he also occasionally stands in for the band; recently he had to stand in on Guitar playing to thousands when Kasabian supported U2), but he has worked for many top acts including Tinnie Tempah, Bloc Party and Duff Mckagan.

Here are a few questions from his website FAQ - not all of which is overly serious! 

Q: Can you get me a job doing what you do? 

A: If you've never done anything remotely like it before then no.

Q: Can I have a free ticket for a show you may or may not be working at? 

A: No. 

Q: Why do they call you Evil Dave? 

A: A child asked me for an autograph and I told him to go away. 

Q: How did you get into this business? 

A: I got drunk at a party and had a driving licence.

You can keep up with all Dave's movements by following his blog - http://evildaveindustries.blogspot.com/

Rotherham charity funding boost to help teens 'get sorted' with numeracy

Britannia, the Co-operative Financial Services, recently made a donation to Get Sorted to help young people develop their basic skills! Here is the article about the donations taken from the Co-op's own website!

A Rotherham charity has received a funding boost of almost £9,500 from Britannia, part of The Co-operative Financial Services, to launch a new programme to boost numeracy and literacy skills of young people in the town.

The donation, made by the financial services provider’s charitable Foundation, will enable Get Sorted Music to initially reach around 80 young people, using song writing skills, rap music, poems and counting beats to engage under 19 year-olds in its creative and innovative education programme.

Figures show that at the end of 2010, over 12 per cent of 18-year-olds were not in education, employment or training*.

Graham Sutherland, project manager at Get Sorted Music, said: “We are thrilled with the success of our application to Britannia’s charitable Foundation, we are always exploring new ways to challenge and engage our students and, we are all excited about the launch of our numeracy and literacy programme in the new academic year - it will reach across communities, breaking down barriers and engaging with hard to reach young people who, we hope, will then move on to other forms of education and accredited courses.”

Britannia’s charitable Foundation is one way the member-owned financial services provider gives back to the communities it serves. Elaine Clews, manager of Britannia’s charitable Foundation, added: “Developing literacy and numeracy skills underpins everyday activities and, can lay strong foundations for good financial capability and money management in later life.

“Britannia is very much a community business itself and, through its charitable Foundation, can make real and lasting differences to local communities and it is delighted to have been able to support the initiatives of Get Sorted Music designed to raise levels of enthusiasm, confidence and understanding in this key area.”

Britannia’s charitable Foundation welcomes applications from other voluntary groups, charities and schools - it supports projects to promote improvements to education, with a particular focus on numeracy and financial capability.

For further information about Britannia’s charitable Foundation, visit any Britannia branch, go to www.britannia.co.uk or, call Elaine Clews, Britannia’s charitable Foundation Manager, on 01538 391806.

Get Sorted and NEETs!

Get Sorted work closely with young people 'not in education, employment or training' (NEETs), helping them develop their basic education and other key life skills. Here is a story from Paul L!

"We had a great afternoon on Thursday, when Neil Rhodes came into our Multimedia department needing a C.V. completing for use at the Job Centre. We have been looking at how to complete C.V.s in our NEET sessions on a Monday afternoon and it was fantastic that Neil felt that he could come to us and access this service that we offer!"

Get Sorted firmly believes in personalised, individual learning. We know that young people will reach their full potential when they have their individual needs met. This can include education as well as pastoral care and support. We can help them with college applications, interviewing techniques, helping them to find work and filling in job applications

Meet a member of the Get Sorted 'Family'!

Dave B writes here about Jay, who started at Get Sorted as a volunteer but who is now, about 6 months on, is a Get Sorted Session Worker!

Jay (third from right) with some of his learners!

Jay has been at Get Sorted for 7 months, starting out as technical support and has since become a solid member of the crew, specialising in Graphic Design sessions and school activities"

In Jay's own words; "I was nervous and shy when I first got here but, because of the warm and friendly staff, I now feel like part of the family. Get Sorted has helped me as much as I've helped Get Sorted. I find the work very rewarding and I encourage anyone who has an interest in Graphic Design or Music to come down and give it a try!"

Jay has proved himself to be a loyal and versatile member of staff who has a very bright future at Get Sorted!

Volunteers are welcome at Get Sorted as we are always looking for volunteers who care about young people, enjoy music and the arts and want to gain experience in the voluntary sector. For those who complete their voluntary hours, there are opportunities to stay with the project as a volunteer or train to be a mentor, session worker or in some cases an employee... like Jay! So if you do have a set of special skills like Jay, and want to volunteer at Get Sorted, get in touch.

Meeting Thomas Turgoose

Last week Thomas Turgoose, star of "This is England", came to Get Sorted to help promote a charity single recorded by G-Dott. Here are a few words from Get Sorted's Glenn Moss...

"I met Thomas when he came to Get Sorted to promote a charity single for local rapper Guy Lawther AKA G Dott. Guy has attended many sessions at Get Sorted where we have helped him develop his skills as a rapper and producer.

Guy had the inititative to contact the entire cast of "This is England" to see if they would help him promote his single and was rewarded for his efforts when main star Thomas Turgoose kindly agreed to help lend a hand.

We were happy to host Calender news, who came to interview Guy, and he featured on the show on Friday16th September."

Having a high profile celebrity, who realised the importance of working with young people, helping them develop and achieve their aspirations, was really good for all down at Get Sorted and all were glad to have him!

Rapper's charity single for Ebonie

Jay Mya is an former Get Sorted student, and is featured in this Rotherham Advertiser article about his new charity single released this summer.

A ROTHERHAM rapper has written a heartfelt song to help send a three-year-old girl for a life-saving operation in America.

Jay Mya penned charity single Chasing Rainbows, featuring Jason Quainoo, when he heard little Ebonie Webb’s story.

When the youngster was six months old she was diagnosed with a brain tumour, which has left her visually impaired.

Prolonged efforts to beat the cancer have been unsuccessful and Ebonie needs specialist treatment only available in the US.

Family and friends have been raising cash towards the £65,000 target—and Jay hopes  that the proceeds from the song will help.

He said: “Ebonie is such a beautiful and caring child with so much potential.

“Although the target is high, we are never going to lose hope in saving her. Even though it feels like we are actually chasing rainbows, we have all the love and support we need to achieve this almost impossible dream.”

Ebonie’s parents Michael and Leanne, of Barnsley, first realised something was wrong when they noticed a frequent flickering in her eyes.

After diagnosis, Ebonie had 18 months of chemo at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and another recent course has again been unsuccessful.

Radiotherapy would present too many risks to Ebonie’s future health, so the preferred treatment is proton therapy is only available in the US.

Kyle Clayton - New Liquid DJ

A Get Sorted student lands a slot at a top Rotherham nightclub!

Kyle Clayton, a Get Sorted student, has got a regular resident DJ slot at the Liquid nightclub in Rotherham at the underage 'Pop and Crisps' night!

Get yourself down there and see the skills Kyle honed at Get Sorted put into action!

Get Sorted has loads of experience in developing young DJ's and MC's; from the Inspire project giving young people the opportunity perform and record their work right through to recording and working with local heroes G-Dott and Miss Kezzo!

Book yourself onto a course now... (info@getsortedmusic.co.uk - 01709 513099)

New Graphic Design and Photoshop Session!

Get Sorted are offering a new course in Graphic Design and Photoshop!

New sessions have been developed to meet demand. Due to having recieved many enquiries regarding graphic design and photo manipulation, session worker Jay has developed a new and exciting workshop, where people can learn new skills in this area and be creative whilst having fun!

Please contact Get Sorted for booking onto the course (info@getsortedmusic.co.uk - 01709 513 099)

G-Dott on ITV

G-Dott, a local rap hero, appeared on ITV with "This is England" star Thomas Turgoose, while recording at Get Sorted with Jenna James.

G-Dott talks about growing up in Rotherham, his new charity single and is seen here, in this home-made video of his ITV interview, along with Jenna James recording his new single, "This is England" which is due out on the 23rd September.