Dot Dot Dot guardian Amy is using her passion for music and a decade of experience working with children to inspire a new generation of creatives. With support from our Guardian Community Events Fund, Amy has launched a series of bucket drumming sessions in Ham, giving young people the creative freedom to find their own beat.
Living in Ham, where we work closely with our client Richmond Housing Partnership to provide purpose-led housing, Amy is a brilliant example of how guardians create deep roots and impact in the communities in which they live.
Guardian Amy is using her musical passion to inspire young people in the Ham community.
Empowering the next generation
For several weeks, Amy has been hosting weekly bucket drumming sessions at the Ham Youth Centre. Initially launched as a girls-only space on Mondays, the sessions have been so well-received that Amy is already looking to expand to include a mixed-gender group on Tuesdays.
The sessions have allowed Amy to use her musical talents and teaching experience to inspire the next generation. A long-time member of Kingston Community Drumming, she performed at the world-renowned Notting Hill Carnival last September. Combining this musical passion with 13 years of experience as a teaching assistant, she has created sessions that are about much more than music alone.
A new medium for creativity: the bucket drumming setup at Ham Youth Centre, funded by our Guardian Community Events Fund
A creative outlet for the girls
Amy is hosting sessions that empower children with skills which they can take into their adult life. “The children are really passionate and it’s lovely using my teaching skills to facilitate running these sessions”, Amy says.
The sessions, currently aimed at girls aged 11-17, focus on multidisciplinary growth. Beyond the music, participants are developing essential soft skills that are often overlooked in traditional settings. “The girls are learning skills like listening and responding, taking turns to lead and exploring their creativity”, Amy explains.
Amy likes to give the girls a chance to lead the group and build their confidence. “I want them – if they feel ready – to open up and show what they can do”, she adds. “I want them to get creative with a new medium.” The girls are gaining valuable time to express themselves in a new and unique way.
Looking to the future
While Amy has spent years working with younger children in primary school, including running an art club, this project has allowed her to mentor an older demographic. “I really enjoy community-based activities,” she adds. “I’ve always worked with kids; they are so creative. I tend to work with the younger ones so I’m new to working with the older ones, but they’re very open to ideas!”
Poster advertising the weekly Monday sessions.
As the group settles back in after the Easter break, Amy is focused on building a consistent, core ensemble. Her goal is to create a sustainable space where the rhythm continues long after the initial sessions. She is already looking to expand the program’s reach by proposing additional mixed-gender sessions on Tuesdays, ensuring as many local young people as possible can benefit.
Through the support of the Guardian Community Events Fund and our partnership with Richmond Housing Partnership, guardians like Amy are proving that a little bit of funding and a lot of passion can create a steady rhythm of positive change in the local community.
To see more of Amy’s creative work and artistic projects, you can follow her at @amy_rogers25 on Instagram or visit her website.
