Young people who are thriving through learning beyond the classroom are taking centre stage at this weekend’s Tor-VYBZ Festival.

Some of the performers and those working behind the scenes at Saturday’s music event have been receiving their education over the last few months at Sound Communities.

The organisation is a Torbay-based community interest company that uses music, radio and creative media to help young people build confidence, develop skills and have their voices heard.

It is one of the providers across the Bay offering education other than at school (EOTAS) to young people with education, health and care plans (EHCPs).

We introduced our EOTAS scheme last September. There are 61 young people educated other than at school and 44 educated other than at college.

Attendees on an EOTAS scheme can explore their interests – everything from arts and media to animal care and horticulture.

Sound Communities is spearheading the Tor-VYBZ Festival, taking place this Saturday at the Banjo in Princess Gardens.

Callum Elliott, senior progressions lead at Sound Communities, said that many of the young people on the EOTAS programme have played a leading role in helping to organise Tor-VYBZ.

He said: “Aiden and Grace have been sampling a real range of creative careers that all support an event like Tor-Vybz. We held a meet and greet event two weeks back where they came together as a small team for the first time and it was brilliant to see Aiden start as an observer and gradually relax to be the head 'ideas guy'.

“Grace was straight into facilitator mode, encouraging Aiden and the others to offer their thoughts and insight after I took a step back and they held the floor.”

“I’m supporting but there’s a heavy emphasis on independence. By the end, the group will have a clearer picture of all the varied jobs that go into an event, and hopefully a bit of direction on how to dig further into them as potential career pathways.”

Aiden, who will be performing a DJ set at Tor-VYBZ, has also taken part in a mini documentary about his journey to the stage.

Tjay has also been working on a set for Saturday, taken part in a photoshoot for Sound Communities’ social media channels and will be working on sound for the main stage.

Callum added: “Tjay has also been with me and the crew on a Tuesday evening volunteering to help set up and run creative sessions in the community at Parkfield Skatepark.

“He has been a positive presence in all of those sessions, taking steer from the staff team and acting as a positive role model to the younger young people that come along.”

EOTAS student Grace said: “I’ve been doing everything under the sun – spray painting, editing, photography, podcasting, TikTok videos.

“It’s so much fun and I’m learning new skills. Now I have experience of how to organise a festival and I can put that on my CV.”

Mike Cook, Director and Lead for Alternative Provision at Sound Communities, said: “The whole Tor-VYBZ Festival, which has been a year in the planning, was curated and organised by young people with an aspiration to create a positive cultural identity for them in Torbay. The adults have just acted as oversight. Their vision and hard work is testament to what can be achieved in settings outside of a school or college environment.”

Councillor Nick Bye, Torbay’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “I’m so pleased to see that young people have got the chance to put their learning into practice thanks to the Tor-VYBZ Festival. It’s a great opportunity for them to showcase their talents, either on stage or off, and give them some valuable work experience which will set them up for the future.

“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in Tor-VYBZ and especially the talented young people who have taken the lead. I very much look forward to this event and hope it will be the first of many.

“Sound Communities, along with all the other providers we use, is giving young people bespoke provision with an emphasis on reducing isolation, allowing for more aspirational learning and supporting better outcomes.”

Tor-VYBZ takes place on Saturday at Princess Gardens from 11am to 8pm. Entry is free.

Find out more about Tor-VYBZ