The Hidden Talents project came about after the youths of the hyde out project showed an interest in making music. THE HYDE OUT PROJECTS BACKGROUND - The MBA are delivering a youth 'chill out' in parthnership with Stevenage Borough Council Community Development in a premise in the Shephall area.The project is for young people aged 12-18 years and runs 2 evenings a week. The project is funded by Stevenage Borough Council and the Herts in Trust. The lead officer of the project is Mandy Williams, Community Development officer for shephall and bandley rise. The Hyde out combines a chill out area with the chance to try healthier food options. The youths are given to chance to learn more about food content, and its effects on the body. Its a drop in facility, requiring no membership. It is not a youth club.The emphasis is on social health/mentoring and well being. Under the guidance of a qualified Chef with many years experience in catering the youths are given the opportunity to try healthy alternatives, eg, Smoothies, and healthy quick snacks. The project will be underpinned by social mentoring. MBA Mentors are also available to offer guidance and help with any social issues. MTM Mentoring through Music. The purpose of MTM is to empower young people to realise their true potential through music and in turn, with training, help another mentee so they can start to show the positive side of their character. Through support and encouragement eventually the negative circle can be broken.The idea behind the Hidden Talents project is to take a group of young, enthusiastic, self-motivated, and talented musicians, and give them the opportunity to make music. But not just any music, music with a purpose, positive music with a message. Talented and well known up and coming artist from Hertfordshires local area will be mentoring the individuals involved each step of the way. Artists such as Shy-D, Mission Crowney, and Liquid, will help to show the youths the ins and outs of writing lyrics, producing backing tracks, and laying down vocals. The youths will also be shown how to promote their music, they will be involved in a professional photo shoot, have personalised artist logos made-up, and have the chance to perform their music to a live audience. But more importantly learn to work together in a team, making this project unique to any other. The world of Myspace will be able to keep in touch with the youths progressive by simply logging on to this site and listening to any uploaded songs. Please leave positive and constructive feedback as this will help us to guide the youths in the right direction.In a very short space of time the MBA has made a huge impact in Hertfordshire. Using a unique method of peer to peer mentoring they have reduced crime rates in a number of areas and have been rewarded for this on a number of occasions. Some of these awards include; The youths High Sheriff award 2005, The community safety award 2005, The Hertfordshire crime beater award 2006, and they were the youth initiative award winners of 2006. The MBA has worked in a number of schools, both coaching and mentoring students. This has encouraged them to seek further education and for certain students showed them that there is light at the end of the tunnel!They have set up a number of youth clubs which they run throughout the year, and put on a range of activities during the holidays for children of all ages. Using the slogan Teach to Teach, the MBA uses Basketball as a hook to fuse young, and sometimes troubled young minds. They have sent players to the USA to play top College basketball, had a player make the GB Under 21s Mens team, and sent a number of players off to Durhams basketball school of excellence to play top UK College Basketball. This year the MBA Cougars Under 16s destoryed every team in the London Junior Basketball League. Beating the Eastside Eagles in the semis and the Islington Panthers in the final. They also have theyre own cheerleading squad with an age range of 8 to 22, and new project called ISIT coming soon which is sure to change the way information is delivered to the youths in the future!!! The list of achievements is endless!WATCH THIS SPACE!!!
