Talented youth musicians are preparing to ‘rock it out’ at a community gig in Richmond thanks to funds from the Civic Pride Fund.

An £800 grant will help ‘Powerjam’, a local not-for-profit after-school rock and pop band workshop for 10 to17 year-olds, prepare three of their bands to play at St Margaret’s Fair on July 8.

Founded by Anna Texier, a volunteer from Kew, the weekly workshops at Heatham House are run by music professionals and tutors, who provide an affordable chance for the adolescents to learn music.

Mrs Texier said: “It’s roughly this age group that so often loses interest in their instruments due to either lack of opportunities to play and perform with other youth.

“I also understand what it’s like growing up unable to afford music tuition and Powerjam aims to give opportunities to youths who may lack financial means, support, or opportunities to develop their musical talents from a young age”

Each term, the bands are taught different techniques, lyrics and how to compose songs, that they can then perform at community events including Kew Fete and Richmond Music and Drama Festival.

“At Powerjam we aim to learn music that excites the members and keeps them playing - working towards a gig each term to keep them focused and learn the value of being team players,” added Mrs Texier.”

“The grant we receive helps us to continue doing this for the next year and perform gigs like the one at St Margarets – it is great to be able to put on a community event.

The project , which Mrs Texier set up two years ago in partnership with Achieving for Children, has given children and adolescents in the borough the opportunity to develop their musical interests and learn from professionals - that on a tighter budget would be inaccessible.

A mother of two boys from the workshop said: “This experience of Powerjam has given my boys so confidence they would of not had gained and I would not been able to pay for them to do.

“Powerjam has given them something to strive for, to practice and to create something fun rather that playing games on screens, it has shown them how to be part of a community project with others.”

Rie Jewson, treasurer, and Jackie Ching, photographer, work solidly with Mrs Texier to keep the workshop running which relies heavily on support from volunteers and grants.

An 11-year old drummer from one of the bands said: "The coaches and Anna are really friendly and nice and the recording studio was amazing.

“The experience of playing in a band really helped me to improve and it was so cool to show our parents what we learnt in the gig at the end - I loved the songs we played."

To find out more about the workshop visit facebook.com/PowerJamWorkshops/ or contact annatexier.powerjam@gmail.com