Parkfield Cold Spot Case Study

Parkfield Youth Centre (www.parkfieldtorbay.co.uk) is in Paignton and is unique in that it was designed by young people and provides access to a unique range of facilities and activities for children, young people, the local community, schools and businesses. Its 9 acre site includes a National standard BMX track, skatepark and woodland area outside, with an indoor sports hall come theatre/music venue, a climbing wall, recording studio and an IT Suite.

This particular project at Parkfield was funded by Daisi’s Soundwaves project and arose from local ‘ambassadors’ who searched for and identified centres and musicians keen to develop music related activities for young people. The geographical areas for attention were highlighted because of issues such as rural isolation, economic deprivation and addressing the needs of young people with disabilities and learning differences.

Drumming , songwriting, instrumental sessions, DJ and singing workshops took place in community centres across Brixham, Paignton and Torquay and  led to an outside performance at Parkfield in the summer of 2013 for the whole community. The aim was to establish Parkfield as a venue for young people’s music making and performance.  

SoundWaves: Parkfield Centre - Drumming Workshop from WideFrame on Vimeo.

 “I’ve found the whole thing inspiring really. We had a group of young people from Totally Teenager, one of the youth clubs involved - they came to the studio a couple of weeks ago, and from a very nervous bunch of kids they’ve come out, done some really good singing, we’ve recorded six tracks for them, and they just had such a good time doing it, and they’ll hopefully perform tonight in front of their peers.” Mitch Knight

“I’ve worked with some really talented musicians in the last few weeks - all of it’s been part of the Soundwaves project, and it’s been really inspiring to see it, and to see this kind of music coming through in the area again” Mitch