AFC Fylde Community Foundation are incredibly proud to say they have helped support a musician setup his own band and start touring the United Kingdom.
James [pictured on the left of the photo] was referred to the Fylde Focus programme from YMCA Harbour House in St Anne's. He wanted to join the programme for support with his confidence and to help look for job vacancies or college courses.
James disclosed with the Foundation staff that he struggled with body dysmorphia which affects his mental health and he also struggles with a knee disability.
Unfortunately, he is currently homeless and is residing in temporary accommodation.
Despite these setbacks, James was delighted to be able to tell our staff that he has qualifications in music and wants a career in the music industry.
The 18-year-old has dyslexia so he has problems reading and completing application forms. Our Fylde Focus team supported James with both online and written application forms and also helped him create a CV and cover letter.
Our team have contacted Fylde council to apply for social housing with 'My Choice Homes' and provided James with contact details for several different talking therapies to help him with his mental health.
James sat down with our team and discussed the possibility of setting up his own band, after positive talks he did exactly that - just three weeks later he had formed a band with three of his friends.
The musician has already produced songs for the band and has successfully advertised the band on social media which has already several booking requests from venues like Crypt and Cavern Club.
James and the band are due to tour the country at different venues with different artists which will provide him with an income as self-employed.
The Foundation supported James with information on how to register as self-employed with HMRC, budgeting finances for costs, profits and keeping records & receipts of any income received from the performances.
Our Employability and Skills Co-ordinator, Natasha Green said: "Helping James was an absolute pleasure.
"People like James are the reason we do this job, we want to make a difference to people who need it and I believe we have done exactly that with James.
"James setting up his own band is a very unique and rare route to go down for Fylde Focus applicants but everyone at the Foundation applauds his attitude and the effort he is putting in to make it work."
James was very appreciative for all of the support he received from our Foundation staff throughout his participation on Fylde Focus.
If you believe yourself or someone you know could benefit from our Fylde Focus programme please email: natasha.green@afcfylde.co.uk.
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