Studio 58, run by Rokzkool Academy in Inverness, is transforming numerous lives since opening in Eastgate Shopping Centre
In a corner at Studio 58 - beyond a grand piano, comfy armchairs and various instruments and amplifiers - a group of teenagers are engrossed in a jamming session.
It’s loud and the atmosphere is charged with energy, enthusiasm and intense concentration as they explore their musical creativity.
Studio 58, run by Rokzkool Academy, opened its doors in the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness just over a year ago and since then has welcomed thousands of people of all ages and transformed numerous lives.
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The grassroots charity, set up by Rod Shannon and Kay Ewen, first gained charitable status six years ago but its roots stretch further back.
Its aim is to help people develop confidence, friendship and skills - and reach their potential and boost their employability prospects - through music, art and other activities although its work extends way beyond this.
This summer, for example, it is running a holiday hunger programme to distribute 4000 free picnic boxes so no child goes hungry and also operates a care cupboard stocked with food for any of its hungry students to help themselves and even take home.
It has now launched an instrument library offering anything from guitars to drum kits so that anyone wanting to access music should not be excluded because of costs.
If also offers a safe drop-in space to young people such as Grace Barrow (13), a pupil at Millburn Academy, who plays classical, pop and rock music on guitar and piano.
Grace, who lives with her grandparents, has faced various challenges in her life including the death of her father 18 months ago.
Grace, who has ambitions to become a nurse, goes to Rokzkool most days after school and also on Saturdays and finds it is helping to build up her confidence.
As well as developing her musical skills, she is also working on a project to restore an old guitar in addition to supporting and mentoring younger children.
She remembers first walking in Studio 58.
“They were so nice to me and so generous,” she recalls.
“It has made a big difference to my life.”
Aaron Hewat (16), who plays drums and guitar, discovered Rokzkool when he went to its school holiday sessions in Beauly.
“I had bad mental health and I wasn’t getting out of the house,” he explains.
“I had been going through a lot of traumatic times and had anxiety about leaving the house and would be in tears going to school.
“My mate asked me to go along and I had an amazing time.”
He has since developed the confidence to sing in public and also enjoys sharing his passion for music with younger children.
“I have gone from singing in the corner to singing in the shopping centre!” says Aaron who hopes to go university to further develop his music skills.
“Going to Rokzkool gave me space to open up and reveal my personality.”
Jack Hives (16) also says Rokzkool enabled him to discover a connection with music which he hopes to continue studying when he leaves school.
“What I love about Rokzkool is that everyone feels welcome when they come in here,” he says.
“There is no other place like it.
“There is no other place which allows little children, or older children, to come in and have a go on the instruments and give them a chance to learn.”
But it is not only young people who are benefiting from its services.
Grandmother Karen-Anne Lennox has unexpectedly found herself as the guardian to her grandson Finley after her daughter died last year when he was just five years old.
Karen-Anne, who is disabled, had to give up her job and move out of her one-bedroom flat to somewhere more suitable for the pair of them which also meant a change of schools for Finley.
“He was very quiet for a long time,” Karen-Anne recalled.
“I brought him along to Rokzkool and he absolutely loved it.”
The charity’s support is benefiting both grandmother and grandson.
Finley, who enjoys singing and playing the drums, is displaying an impressive grasp of rhythm while it gives Karen-Anne some time to herself, or to have a chat with others.
“Without Rokzkool, I would have had a very angry little boy on my hands,” she says.
“This has given him another channel not just to keep him occupied but also to express himself.
“I have a happy little boy which makes me happy.”
Fiona Groat (50) unfortunately had to give up her full time job with the NHS after struggling with a long-term mental health condition but has now found renewed purpose in life as a Rokzkool volunteer.
Fiona, who plays piano, previously played with Inverness Fiddlers and also the organ at Cawdor Church and has an extensive repertoire including baroque, romantic, Scottish traditional, jazz, rock and roll, pop and hymns.
“I wanted to pass on my skills to others of any age,” says Fiona who is now teaching others from toddlers to an 83-year-old.
“I love working with everyone who wants to learn piano.
“If I can help other folk with their struggles, that is great.”
Rokzkool development officer Amy Sinclair says moving into the Eastgate Centre has raised awareness of the charity.
“So many people go past and see our exciting window and studio full of equipment and want to come in and have fun,” she says.
It has also broadened its reach and activities. There are now drop-in sessions for adults, for example, to try out the instruments, or have a cuppa and chat and listen to the jukebox.
Currently, it is looking for work placements for a couple of mums doing food hygiene courses which hopefully will lead to part-time employment.
There are Saturday jamming sessions for families and plans are being drawn up to run a mini Rokzkool festival in Alness this summer.
Some of its students travel from as far as Wick, Thurso, Elgin and even Skye.
Co-founder Kay Ewen stresses the importance of the holistic approach taken by Rokzkool and says an important element is signposting people to other organisations, such as Connecting Carers, which can provide support.
Funding is a permanent challenge and it is grateful for donations and grants from a range of sources such as UK charity Meals and More, The Robertsons Trust, the Scottish Children's Lottery and Highland Council.
Reflecting on the essence of Rokzkool, Kay says: “It is a place where people feel they belong.
“It is about getting people to believe in themselves.
“It is a safe space and when they are relaxed, they are not afraid to try something different.
“That is when the magic happens.”
