Hi all,

You might remember that a few weeks ago I posted a survey to help me do some research for the charity I work for, Youth Music. Thanks to everyone who filled it out: I got nearly 250 responses and most of those were from DiS users. <3

It was to help us plan our new fundraising initiative, Give a Gig, which launches in June. So I wanted to tell you all a bit more about it in case you'd like to get involved.

At Youth Music we support hundreds of music-making projects for children and young people all over the country, of all kinds of genres. Mostly the projects take part outside school, and they help children who wouldn't otherwise get the chance, particularly those experiencing difficult circumstances (eg disability, homelessness, poverty, living in care).

Basically, we're asking promoters/performers/venues etc if they'd like to put on a charity gig to raise money for Youth Music, or to make a donation from some of the proceeds of an existing gig. Obviously you may have costs to meet (paying the venue, paying the bands etc) so we're just asking you donate what you can afford. You can also raise extra money on the night with collection buckets, raffles, that kind of thing. Anything you raise really helps us to support amazing music-making projects for kids. Here's some nice examples of what we do: http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/our-impact/live-harp-music-helps-healing-in-hospitals.html and http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/our-impact/music-making-projects-help-vulnerable-young-people-to-re-engage.html

The proper website is going to be up-and-running in June with loads more info and resources, but we'd like to get as many Give a Gig events as possible booked in before then. If you'd like to register a gig now, or find out more then please take a look at www.giveagig.org.uk

Also I'm putting on my own personal Give a Gig event at the Brixton Windmill in June if you fancy coming along (some DiSers are involved in the bands and Tim Ten Yen is playing, it's going to be GREAT): https://www.facebook.com/events/1431905293722382

Any questions let me know, hope you can help. x