A MUSIC charity has opened its new base in a town centre after taking over an empty shop.

Soundwave has opened 72 King Street in Whitehaven and in a first for the town, will be hosting music sessions, social sketches, podcasts and more.  

The charity has been running for almost 20 years across west Cumbria, working with young musicians, schools and bands.

Soundwave also work with community groups and run an adult choir ‘DisChord’ and showcased Cumbrian talent on its own stage (The Roots stage) at Kendal Calling this year.

Run by a group of musicians and youth workers, the charity’s mission is to enhance people’s lives through music and being creative.

David Roberts, Soundwave director, said: “We’re excited to bring our programme to the high street and to try out new projects that will be inclusive for our communities. We’ve had a lot of support from Cumberland council, Copeland community fund, UKSPF, Arts council England and great feedback from people passing the shop.”

Emma Salmon, creative producer, said: ‘We are so excited to open our doors. We are developing music projects that reach our local communities. Our first social sketch went really well and we are hoping to bring lots of new and exciting music and arts activity into Whitehaven town centre.”

Soundwave have a longer term plan in Whitehaven to open a music centre with partner BEC in the bus depot. Some of the projects will be trialled in the new base on King Street.

The charity is keen to work with other creative organisations and individuals to improve the relationship with music, arts and culture in west Cumbria and to give young people help finding careers within the creative industries.

For updates, follow Soundwave on social media: @soundwaveca28 or go to:  www.soundwave.org.uk