The ‘Hive’ is a centre for culture, entertainment and art development, aimed largely at the under 25 age group (with particular focus on 14-19 years). It’s core business is music and media, but it also includes art across the spectrum, including artists in residence, performance, dance, digital media and animation, textiles, eco-fashion, environmental craft and photography.

It is based in Shrewsbury but also works across the region in a variety of places such as youth and community centres, schools, colleges, early years venues and in outdoor settings. Their client base includes youth services, young carers, looked after children, pupil referral units, young offenders, young people with special needs and mental health issues, young people at risk of substance misuse, Youth Parliament, home educated groups as well as corporate clients. The Hive has worked on many programmes including an alcohol awareness project for teenagers, band building and with male inmates at a Young Offenders Institute. They work with young people moving from primary to secondary school and also with isolated young people in rural areas. The Hive supports the Arts Council England Arts Award programme and they to offer accreditation to any young person who wishes to undertake at least a bronze qualification.

The Centre is driven by their charismatic director, Alyson Lanning, supported by a highly professional team who are equally dedicated to inspiring and teaching the young people who attend their courses. The High Sheriff and his wife had the privilege of attending a musical event celebrating the end of a musical workshop where specifically ‘young carers’ were given the opportunity to make music, learn how to play instruments, and get to make new friends who are in similar situations to themselves. The ‘young carers’ families, parents and siblings, friends, as well as the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Beverly Baker, were brilliantly entertained by highly proficient performances of contemporary music and song, created over a period of a week by the 20 strong cast of 10 – 17 yr olds themselves, There was a tremendous atmosphere of achievement, and unquestionably every young person taking part was visibly loving every minute of it. The standard of singing and music played was simply awe-inspiring!  

The ‘Hive’ is definitely worth a visit by any young person wishing to be inspired, and for anybody else for that matter! For further information do go to their website:     www.hiveonline.org.uk   or contact them on: 01743 234970