Arts & Culture
OFFBEAT Exhibition
Working with Inspire's twinned primary schools, artist Sian Watson and author Ashley Thorpe and the…
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Our First Up gig at Jamcafé on 6 May was one of those evenings that reminded us exactly why these opportunities matter. The room felt incredibly supportive from start to finish, with some young people stepping onto a stage for the very first time - and sharing something personal through music in front of a live audience.
Jamcafé was the perfect setting for it; small, intimate, and full of encouragement. Every performer was properly listened to, celebrated, and cheered on. The atmosphere felt emotional, uplifting and genuinely special. It was clear how much courage it took for many of the young artists to perform, and seeing the audience respond with so much warmth made the night unforgettable for everyone involved.
Several parents told us afterwards that their young people would remember the experience for a very long time, and that confidence and sense of achievement was visible throughout the evening.
One parent described it as: “A night we’ll certainly never forget.”