Livewire to hold Mental Health & Awareness Day
Nestled in the heart of Saltash, right by the river, Livewire stands in a truly beautiful setting, one that has quietly (or not so quietly sometimes) supported thousands of children and young people over the years. Behind its doors, generations have been welcomed with care, understanding, and a sense of belonging. For many, Livewire has been a safe space. For others, it’s something they’ve heard about but never fully understood. That’s why on SaturdayApril 25th, from 12pm to 2pm, Livewire is opening its doors to the community for a special Mental Health and Awareness Day. This event is for everyone, whether you’re curious about what Livewire does, a parent with concerns about your child, or someone simply looking to learn more about mental health support in the local area. It’s an opportunity to step inside, meet the team, and see first-hand how Livewire connects with and supports the community. We understand that many parents and carers can feel unsure about where to turn when they’re worried. Sometimes, it can feel like there’s no one to talk to. This day is about changing that, creating a welcoming space where conversations can happen openly and without judgement. Alongside the Livewire team, there will…
Livewire welcomes new Mental Health Counselling Lead
Bernadette Fitch (BCAP) (Berni) has joined the Livewire team as the Mental Health Lead. Berni says… My first few weeks at Livewire have been really interesting and rewarding. I already feel part of something special, a place where I feel comfortable as I begin finding my feet transitioning from counsellor to Counselling Lead. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is being more involved with the youth work team in the evenings. It has taken me out of my usual one-to-one work with children and young people and allowed me to see them in their own environment, in their clubs, watching them get on stage, challenge themselves, and overcome their fears. Walking around, chatting with them, and getting to know the staff and volunteers has been really valuable. I wanted to step into this role gently, gradually shifting my interaction with the counsellors to be more supportive and hands-on when needed, and slowly finding my rhythm rather than rushing. I’ve also started interacting more with the community, sharing what Livewire does, connecting with schools, and beginning to create a social media presence. The more I settle into the role, the more I realise how much I love being…
Future Proofing Plans For Livewire Youth Music
A message from Andy Rance: “For years, I’ve been joking, ‘I’m getting old.’ Well, the truth is… I *am* old now! But honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. For 35 incredible years (most of my hair, and a few sleepless nights!), I’ve poured my heart into Livewire Youth Music. It’s been a journey filled with laughter, tears, heartbreak, and pure joy. I’ve met so many amazing young people – too many to count – who’ve inspired and sometimes *saved* me in ways I can’t put into words. To me, Livewire isn’t just a project; it’s a family and I’ve always believed I’d be carried out in a box, doing what I love until I simply couldn’t anymore. But here’s the truth: age and health are catching up with me. The fundraising efforts that once kept me awake till 3am, the weekends spent filling applications – I reckon I’ve raised over a couple of million pounds over the years – yet it is becoming harder. Julie’s health has also taken a toll, and I’ve taken on more responsibilities, balancing my work at Livewire with being her carer. Julie has had to step back from youth work after 20 years, which has been…
Over £2800 raised
Livewire held it’s annual “Rockin’ By The River” event on 25th October, once again it sold out with people travelling from all over the country to attend. We had five excellent bands performing over the evening, starting with a Livewire band, Callima, they were followed by The Outlaw Orchestra (South Coast), The Hot One Two (Cambridgeshire), Sons Of Liberty (Bristol) and headlining were local heroes Departed (South Devon). The sound and lighting was delivered by young people who honed their skills at Livewire Cam and Matt respectively both doing an amazing job. Bands from the world of New Wave of Classic Rock donated prizes for an awesome raffle, plus a painting from local artist Lucinda-Lee Morriss a spectacular piece of can art from Cornish Rock Box. Volunteers Chris and Barb did an awesome job looking after the raffle and really appreciated the live feed from the stage onto the TV. We would like to thank all the volunteers and trustees that helped throughout the day and evening. A couple of the bands were so impressed by what we do at Livewire Youth Music, they donated back a part of their fees. Once again the amazing Foreign Muck fed the bands…
Proud Moment for Livewire Alumni
On Wednesday, 29th October, Livewire Alumni Cameron Snook graduated with his BSc (Hons) Live Sound degree from dBs Institute in Bristol. Cameron started at Livewire when he was 10 years old. He played guitar in a band from the age of 13, recorded an EP and played on the local live circuit. He also gained his live sound engineering skills at Livewire and subsequently worked in the industry while studying Music Production at dBs Plymouth. He moved to Bristol to study for his BSc (Hons) Live Sound and, after three tough years, he and his fellow Co-Hort attended their graduation ceremony at St George’s Hall in Bristol on Wednesday What has made us extra proud at Livewire Youth Music is that Cameron received his certificate from the current BSc (Hons) Live Sound Course Leader, Skye Walters, who is also a member of the Livewire Youth Music Alumni. Skye told us during the event that she had also attended Livewire Youth Music and, through Livewire, she had discovered who she was and that she wanted a career in the music industry. Livewire Youth Music would lik
New ramp at Livewire
A new ramp has been built for the Livewire Entrance. Local construction company Steve Hoskins Construction Ltd along with other companies including CBL Saltash & Central Parts who supplied a digger, have built a stunning ramp out the front of the building, supporting Livewire Youth Music to be more accessible for people using wheelchairs. The new handrails also providing additional safety for people leaving the building onto the road.
Livewire working to improve accessibility
Livewire Youth Project will soon begin construction on an improved entrance of its Saltash waterfront building, allowing less-abled people better ease of access to its facilities. “The rationale for this new ramp is both accessibility and safety”, says Andy Rance, Youth Work Coordinator at Livewire, “we don’t want young people walking into the road to enter or leave the building. It’s going to be a great new improvement to our facilities!” Funding has been provided from The Clothworker’s Foundation, whose £15,000 contribution will grant equal opportunity for young people in the area to enjoy Livewire’s musical and mental health services. Building work will be carried out by Steve Hoskin Construction Ltd. “Steve Hoskin Construction Ltd is pleased to support Livewire Youth Project, an organisation that provides a safe, fun, and supportive environment where young people can express themselves through music and access vital mental health support,” says Charlotte Worden, spokesperson for Steve Hoskin. “The construction of the new ramp will further enhance the building’s accessibility and safety, ensuring that all members of the community — particularly those with limited mobility — can benefit from the services Livewire offers. We are proud to contribute to making this inclusive and inspiring space even…
Dom Chiswell x The Wurzels
Former Livewire member, Dom Chiswell is the Head Sound Engineer at The Junction in Plymouth. He is also the current drummer for the Wurzels under the name Leigh Delamere. The Wurzels have just released a brand new single titled “Wurzel Me Up!” The song was written with the help of artificial intelligence. The band decided to explore this technology, using it to analyze their song catalogue and generate lyrical inspiration for their new release. They also acknowledge and address concerns about AI and copyright, stating they’ve focused on plagiarizing themselves in this case. The official music video for “Wurzel Me Up!” is also available, illustrating the use of AI in the creation of the song and featuring Dom in a number of interesting guises.
ANDY RANCE: Receives his first “message” t-shirt in a frame
Since we lost a member of Livewire to Suicide, Andy Rance has worn a t-shirt with a message of support every single day. The other week, he announced he was going to retire the first one he bought, which simply stated NEVER GIVE UP. After Andy posted it, a conversation was had online and Bevis Robins asked the awesome Nick at Easyframe if he could frame it for us. He totally got it and did an amazing job at no cost. Not only did he do it for free, it was back in our hands within 6 days!! On Sunday 11th May we took the opportunity to present it to Andy at Metal 2 The Masses Devon & Cornwall 2025 heat and again tell the story of why we do what we do at Livewire Youth Music. The t-shirt demonstrates and represents the journey Andy and his team have been on since then as we have increased the mental health support we provide for local young people. Andy says….“This is really quite special, my life and the whole of Livewire Youth Music changed the day we lost Ed Bartlam, I can’t really explain beyond the intense feeling of not ever wanting to lose another…
new conselling rooms 2025
As part of Livewire Youth Music’s commitment to young people and the local community, we have now expanded our counselling and one to one support by converting what was the blue room into three dedicated one to one rooms, giving us four in total, this will allow us to deliver more support sessions daytimes and evenings! A huge thank you to Nigel Wherly (ex-Livewire member) who did the main building work for free! Cornwall Community Foundation and Howton Solar farm for funding the air circulation system for the new rooms and Air Improve for carrying out the work.
Livewire has a major facelift inside and out
The Livewire building had been looking quite tatty and certainly since the Wheatsheaf was pulled down, the adjacent end of the building had become quite exposed to the weather. Pieces of guttering were broken and one more major storm could have caused catastrophic damage to the roof. The repair and redecoration work was put out to tender and over the last few months AD Williams have been working hard to repair the roof, edging and guttering and completely repaint the outside in strong weather resistant paint. The building is now a gorgeous shade of blue at the front, which Andy states reflects our position by the river and also matches the colour of the Livewire logo. Andy goes on to say “You will notice we painted the back (Brooke Close) white, this is to make the back as bright as possible for the neighbours and I think it does that”. “We have always felt really proud being part of the waterside community for so long and I know in the past the building has been a bit of an eyesore now and then but I really think this lifts our little end” On the inside, earlier in the year the…
Livewire youth music regular appears on ITV’s ‘THE VOICE’ 2023
Shane Brierley (18) who regularly attend the Monday night sessions at Livewire Youth Music and who features in the Livewire Promotional video on the home page has entered The Voice 2023 competition. Filmed some time ago, his blind audition was screened on Saturday 9th December, he performed a sublime rendition of Tom O’Dell’s song ‘Heal’. Speaking about how he feels ahead of the show’s airing, Shane said: “I’m nervous to see myself on TV but I’m really excited for everyone to see me. It will all probably hit me on Saturday when I actually see the show.” All of us watching had our hearts in our mouths as, despite his amazing performance, the judges teams were nearly full it was looking like no-one was going to turn, then bam, Will.I.Am slammed his button, making Shane the final member of his team. Speaking to Shane, Will.i.am said: “You are awesome.” Judge Anne Marie revealed that she also hoped to hit her button for Shane, but sadly was too late. She said: “That was pitch perfect, the tone was beautiful. And I didn’t press it, I’m sorry I didn’t do it in time but you’re amazing.” You can see his performance here… The…
Livewire alumni weekender and fundraising vinyl compilation album planned for march 2024
Livewire Youth Music are planning a weekend of live music on the 23rd and 24th March 2024 along with the sale of a vinyl compilation album featuring music from Livewire bands/artists past and present. The idea came about after it was confirmed we didn’t have a high–level gig in the March after Stiff Little Fingers performed for the last two years. Andy Rance suggested to Mike Snook (Events Co-Ordinator) that we tried to see if a couple of bands that were still about that formed at Livewire, but were now too old to be members and a couple of the current bands would like to put on a show. The following week the conversation came up again when Andy and some of the trustees met some interns from Plymouth University offering support, of which one was an Events Intern, it was suggested that this would be a good project for her to work on. Fired up from this conversation, Andy set up a group chat with as many Livewire Alumni as he could remember who were in bands over the last 20 years, asking if anyone was interested. Within 24 hours we had a list of 25 acts interested, including…
Allen & Heath – A Brilliant Donation
Livewire Youth Music have received an incredible surprise late Christmas gift from leading pro-audio live sound manufacturers Allen & Heath, with the donation of one of their flagship dLive c3500 live sound mixing desks to be used for gigs and teaching young people live sound in its amazing 250 capacity venue in Saltash, Cornwall. Over the years a great many local young people have been taught the finer art of mixing live sound at Livewire, including Sam Walsh who went on to be legendary Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre’s front of house engineer and Alex Skinner, who went on to develop a career at Allen & Heath himself. This amazing donation will massively enhance their ability to reach even more budding young sound engineers and hopefully support them into long lasting careers. Comments from Andy Rance, youth work coordinator: “We are so delighted with this amazingly generous donation from Allen & Heath – we have had a wonderful and long relationship with this UK leading live sound and DJ product manufacturer based right here in Cornwall. This new dLive desk will be a huge upgrade to Livewire’s live music venue and massively increase our ability to teach local young people…
Love Saltash – Nov 2018. Another big side of Livewire
Don’t you just love it when a popular local magazine is so supportive of what we do? Thank you Karen Pilkington and ‘Love Saltash’!