Amber Music project receives a helping hand

The Tesco Extra store in Exeter Vale has lent a helping hand to the Amber Music Project Programme by donating £1,000.

The Amber Foundation’s ‘Amber Music Project’ (AMP) will offer homeless and unemployed young people  at their residential centre in Chawleigh the chance to work with a range of freelance and local musicians. The sessions will give young people new skills and experience as well as a positive creative focus to support them to manage their emotions and build their resilience.

Jo Evans, community champion at the Extra store in Exeter Vale Shopping Centre, said: “The Amber Foundation provides such an important service across Exeter and Devon. With it offering a supportive and nurturing environment where young people can find support we are delighted to have donated £1,000 for the charity to develop this beneficial new music project.”

Kim Whittle from The Amber Foundation said: “We work with a range of young people who have either been street homeless or who have been unemployed and in crisis. These young people are working hard to turn their lives around but they have been through a lot and are dealing with a lot emotionally. Music provides a fantastic outlet to help them express themselves, regain their self-confidence, build their self-esteem and positively move forward in their lives. We are so grateful to Tesco for this donation as it will help us to buy key equipment and kick start the music sessions”.

An Amber resident said, “Music is the universal motivator, a medium to bring all people from all walks of life together. To me personally it is as essential as dressing, hygiene and food and water. It eradicates depression and stimulates creativity.”

The Tesco Exeter Vale Extra store is open 24 hours from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

The Amber Music Project is being run in Partnership with Music In Devon Initiative (MIDI) www.musicindevon.org For more information about The Amber Music Project call Claire Miller on 01769 582020.


Pictured from left are Tesco Fresh Lead Manager - Neil Baker, Nick Hall from Amber Music, Ian Chattington - "Move On" Manager, Jo Evans -Tesco Community Champion, Rob Skelly -Amber Resident. Picture by Paul Hamlyn.