Katie, 19
“I joined Pie Factory Music when I was 7. My dad is a musician, he plays every instrument under the sun and I spent my childhood listening to and being inspired by him. He was the one that encouraged me to join the charity as he believed that I should have other musical influences.
For around seven years I took part in their vocal group, learning how to sing, write songs, develop harmonies and practice performing. I learnt how to do vocal warm ups and I got studio time where I could record my own songs. I never knew I had such a passion for singing.
I was home-schooled and spent a lot of my childhood dropping in and out of youth clubs, like swimming, drama and science clubs. However I stuck with Pie Factory Music – they had amazing youth workers that you can relate to and they always had a session that interested me.
I now volunteer with the charity leading one of their projects called Action Community Thanet! (ACT!) It’s a weekly social action group to support the local community. We’ve held fundraising quizzes, sponsored walks, sleep outs for the homeless and a lot of litter picks.
Pie Factory Music was a place for me to build on my social skills, meet and trust other adults and interact with new people. They increased my confidence, I gained leadership skills and it taught me how to be part of a team.”