Next month marks the 1st anniversary of Chapel FM in its new location – the old Seacroft Chapel. Following the move to the new premises, Chapel FM have been able to develop into a real community based Arts Centre, the first one in east Leeds and providing a really positive environment for the local community, particularly teens and young people. The first year as Chapel FM has been a great success, with around 140 teenagers involved in intensive courses.
One such teen, Zoe Carty has volunteered for the last four years and says “Chapel FM is a place where you can try new things, relax, and learn something new every day with a whole bunch of very different, supportive people.”
You may better remember Chapel FM as East Leeds FM. Originally started in 2003, East Leeds FM was set up as a one-off 10 hr radio session by a group of 13yr olds at John Smeaton School.
Chapel FM now provides a wide range of arts programmes to its visitors of all ages and volunteers, including singing, writing, visual arts and even showing movies! Recently, the centre ran a summer – school which included a training project for 30 young people with two weeks broadcasting on FM as part of their NO BYSTANDERS broadcast festival. They worked with 80 pupils on a special transition summer school as they moved from local primary schools to East Leeds Academy this month, and also on the summer programme was a special project with young people who are supported by the Visual Impairment team at Temple Moor High School.
Adrian Sinclair Creative Director at Chapel FM says “We offer opportunities to all young people who want to come and join us; and it’s great to see them turn up every week prepared to work hard, put a lot of effort in, and have some fun.”
During the autumn half term Chapel FM will be recruiting for their new training courses. Taster sessions will be held over the holiday for young people who might be interested in the courses. There is also a live event happening every Friday evening from the 9th October til December. You can book online at www.chapelfm.eventbrite.co.uk if you would like to be part of the studio audience (you just pay what you can.)
For more information on the taster sessions or what else is on offer at Chapel FM, please contact them on Tel: 0113 22 55 944, email info@chapelfm.co.uk or visit the website
www.chapelfm.co.uk
