What is YMCA Digital?
YMCA Digital is a community project designed to inspire, support and develop young people to fulfil their potential through creative arts and digital media. The programme boasts a fantastic scope of new media platforms and performing arts opportunities for young people aged 13-19 in Nottinghamshire.
Delivered by experienced industry professionals and trained Nottinghamshire YMCA staff, the project engages aspiring artists to harness their creativity in workshops and open sessions.
Young music media lovers can gain invaluable industry experience while enjoyingfirst-hand skills in a variety of mediums, ranging from radio broadcasting, film, animation, music, music tech and production, dance, acting and singing (vocals, writing and performance).
Watch: Music created by our young people
10-week courses for young people
YMCA Digital are currently running 10-week media and performing arts courses for young people aged 13-19 in Nottinghamshire.
Our courses take place at our state-of-the-art studio in NGY MyPlace in Nottingham city centre, where we provide attendees with the latest equipment and technology in order to reach their goals. Whether digital, vocal or instrumental, we’ve got it all – there’s something for every genre and style!
Check out our courses and book today by emailing studio@nottsymca.org.
Workshops include:
Vocal Zone
Learn key techniques to become a skilled singer, with vocal coaching, performance, and song-writing sessions.
Radio Club
Become a pro radio host and learn the skills of presenting, show planning and jingle making.
Music Technology
Master the essential skills of music technology, including recording, production and mixing techniques.
MC Skills
Learn the tricks of MCing, including lyric writing, performance skills, and recording techniques.
Drum Clinic
Develop a range of drumming techniques and performance skills in multi-genre styles.
DJ Academy
Master the essential skills of DJing, including mixing, beat juggling and scratching techniques.
Big Band
Become a valued and skilled band member, including performance expertise and improvisational techniques.
Arts Award
Build your portfolio while working towards a nationally-recognised qualification as you learn skills in a range of artistic fields and gain confidence to follow your creative passions.
Facilities
Courses take place at our state-of-the-art studio in NGY MyPlace in Nottingham city centre, where we provide participants with the latest equipment and technology in order to reach their creative goals. Whether digital, vocal or instrumental, we’ve got it all – there’s something for every genre and style.
Formerly the home of Trent FM, the NGY MyPlace hub opened in April 2012 as a £5million youth centre following a complete transformation of the building on Castle Gate at the heart of the Nottingham city centre.
Nottinghamshire YMCA is a founding partner in the development of the building, and the YMCA Digital team is responsible for the music and media floor which sports its own recording studio, performance space, radio studios and Apple Mac computer suite.
YMCA has youth workers based permanently at the centre, which is home to the YMCA Digital radio station and many of our exciting charity youth projects.
NGY also has a café, training room, computer room and outside courtyard as well as access to NHS and careers services.The interior of the building was designed by young people in Nottingham and the bright colours combined with state-of-the-art facilities give it a real ‘wow’ factor!
Weekly sessions timetable
Monday and Friday: 4pm-6pm (ages 13-18) – Youth Music funded session at NGY MyPlace
Tuesday and Wednesday: 4pm-8pm (ages 13-18) – Children In Need funded sessions at NGY
Thursday: 2pm – 6pm – Youth Music funded session in Newark for pupils of Newark Academy and Mount Primary School
Friday: 1pm – 3pm – Aspire session with children from Bluecoats Academy
Skills and AQA accreditations
Experienced industry professionals engage aspiring young artists in workshops and open sessions to equip them with life skills including communication, IT, media literacy, planning and team work.
Almost all of our programmes offer young people an accreditation and our youth workers are all qualified to deliver AIM Awards, Arts Awards and AQAs which are all tailored to individuals’ interests, goals and abilities. Our projects aim to engage young people in learning while equipping them with the skills they need for life such as communication, IT and media literacy, planning and team work.
To book, please contact studio@nottsymca.org.
Ethan ‘EJ’ Scanlan
Volunteer EJ Scanlan shares why he first got involved with YMCA Digital’s city centre hub, and explains how the charity helps him and other young people to grow in their craft and confidence by ‘believing in their creative potential’.
After struggling to cope with low confidence, EJ praises how the Nottinghamshire YMCA team welcomed him with open arms. Now a highly valued presenter for YMCA Digital’s live radio show, EJ is helping other young people to grow and develop their creative skills in the studio.
EJ Scanlan’s main show airs every Thursday from 18:00 on YMCA Digital. Tune in online here.
Our Funders
A big thank you to our key supporters, including:
Children in Need
The Big Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund
Home Office
Department for Education
Youth Music
Nottingham City Council
Nottinghamshire County Council
Nottinghamshire Community Foundation