Reaching Communities at Hybrid 3 Studios

We're proud to announce that Hybrid 3 has been awarded funding through the National Lottery Community Fund's Reaching Communities programme. 

At Hybrid, we understand the impact of giving open access creative opportunities to the community, whether that be through music, podcasting, radio drama or soundscaping. 

This funding will allow us to grow both the scale and the depth of our creative audio and community music work across Sheffield and South Yorkshire over the next three years.

This means we can run interactive and meaningful projects whilst reaching out to different communities including people who are experiencing homelessness and SEND in a non-clinical setting. 

How are we going to use this funding to help the community?

A young artist on our funded Artist Development Program

By creating safe and encouraging environments for creative personal discovery, we can empower our participants to find their voice and enjoy a renewed sense of wellbeing. 

Youth Work

Our open access artist development programmes and StoryBombs workshops have provided opportunities for young people to record in a professional studio, play paid gigs and showcase at local festivals. 

We’re expanding our StoryBombs sessions to run multiple groups of different ages. This includes sessions for ages 14+ with an emphasis on mental wellbeing.

We strive for every young person who participates in these sessions to develop improved confidence and self expression. 

As we tackle isolation and anxiety together through creative experiences, this will provide opportunities for young people to make meaningful connections and relationships.

These opportunities also inspire young people to build on both personal and professional skills which will unlock future pathways into creative careers and support their journey into adulthood.

Community Outreach

As well as this, we are starting a brand new series of community based outreach sessions targeting at least 100-120 adults in underserved areas. 

These accessible, trauma informed sessions will help participants increase their confidence, leading to more independence and a louder voice encouraging them to advocate for themselves. The sessions will be tailored to each environment and group.

Group Courses for Homelessness

In addition to this we are creating six, six-week courses targeting people experiencing homelessness.

These courses will provide structured, purposeful creative activity to promote a sense of achievement and identity beyond participants’ housing situations. 

This will also strengthen connections with wider support through links to different partnerships and organisations.

Open Studio Opportunities

Music, writing and access to creative media can make a tremendous positive impact on those who suffer with mental ill health.

Which is why we are going to reach at least 40 people receiving mental health support to further their journey to improved mental wellbeing. 

Audio work will reduce isolation and increase social connection as it becomes a non-clinical tool for expression and emotional awareness. 

Volunteer Roles

Additionally, we are creating different volunteering roles in different pockets of the creative industry. 

These volunteer roles will provide learning opportunities to develop confidence, leadership and employability skills. This also includes peer support and mentoring opportunities to build communication, facilitation and teamworking skills. 

Miscellaneous Outcomes

Our overall promise to our community is that with this funding we will deliver high quality meaningful workshops and courses to those in the community who need it the most.

We will increase awareness and understanding of lived experience of mental health through podcasts and other creative outputs.

We will help to improve the wellbeing of those who attend any of our sessions including the development of confidence, self advocacy and the tools to help themselves for years to come.

By strengthening connections and opening pathways to different non-clinical organisations, we can signpost participants to engage in their communities and develop strong support systems.

The team at Hybrid 3 are delighted to recieve the Reaching Communities fund. We would like to thank the National Lottery Community Fund for their continued support.