Happy Memories, Catchy Melodies!
Past Projects
Have a look at what we have been doing over the years.
The Music
Hear some of the amazing work our participants have produced!
Contact
Want to speak to us about past or future projects?
"It was an honour meeting the young people, listening to the songs they had created with Memody, and seeing first-hand the difference this brilliant project has had on their lives."
Jonny Marr, Actual Rockstar
“There's no right or wrong and it's yours- it's your artwork and people can relate to it”
CiCC Member
Over the past year we have been working closely with four Children in Care Council groups across Greater Manchester. Each local authority has a CiCC group made up of young people who have experience with the care system. The goals and objectives vary from group to group, but they all present a space where the young people of the council can share their views and ideas. They are instrumental in making decisions that affect themselves and their peers in their locality.
Our experiences with each group – in Bury, Wigan, Trafford and Stockport – have all been very different, and incredibly valuable in both directions. Richard (photograph centre) took the time to interview some of the participants and put together this radio programme to showcase some of the music they have been working on over the past year. It represents a lot of hard work put in by all of the young people involved – those who’s music and voices you hear on the show as well as those who don’t share the global ambitions of their peers! – and also by our facilitators and the network of support staff who make the CiCC groups such a wholesome supportive environment.
It was broadcast in March by our friends over at Reform Radio. You can listen back on their site by clicking on the picture (opens in a new tab)- or on our site by pressing play above!
"Memody help young people use music as a vehicle for expressing where they're at and process different things that are going on in their lives."
Nick Rogers, manager
2018 was a big year for Memody. We did a lot that we are proud of, and worked with a ton of amazing people.
At the beginning of 2019 we took the opportunity to see what those people thought of us…
Thanks to everyone who worked with us over 2018 making awesome music, and to those who featured in this video!
Our Projects
CiCC Songwriting Workshops
CiCC Songwriting Workshops
Since late 2018 Memody have been working with several Children in Care Council groups around Greater Manchester. The groups are led by and for the young people involved. The workshops have brought forth some amazing writing and performing talent, and one group have attracted the attention of the local MP and Mayor!
Since late 2018 Memody have been working with several Children in Care Council groups around Greater Manchester. The groups are led by and for the young people involved. The workshops have brought forth some amazing writing and performing talent, and one group have attracted the attention of the local MP and Mayor!
Boombox at GMYN
Boombox at GMYN
Over 2018-19 Memody delivered a Youth Music funded songwriting and recording project in partnership with Greater Manchester Youth Network, for care-experienced young people. Sessions took place in Manchester, Rochdale and Bury, seeing us work with over 35 participants, create some great pieces of music and even host some famous faces…
Over 2018-19 Memody delivered a Youth Music funded songwriting and recording project in partnership with Greater Manchester Youth Network, for care-experienced young people. Sessions took place in Manchester, Rochdale and Bury, seeing us work with over 35 participants, create some great pieces of music and even host some famous faces…
Monsall TLM Centre
Monsall TLM Centre
Since October 2017 Memody CIC have been delivering songwriting and recording sessions at the TLM Centre in Monsall, helping engage local children in one of Manchester’s most disadvantaged areas. This project is delivered in partnership with Places For People Housing Association and Santander.
Since October 2017 Memody CIC have been delivering songwriting and recording sessions at the TLM Centre in Monsall, helping engage local children in one of Manchester’s most disadvantaged areas. This project is delivered in partnership with Places For People Housing Association and Santander.
Venture Arts
Venture Arts
Artist and disabled rights activist, Gemma Nash, funded Memody to collaborate with Venture Arts in the creation of 4 songs that reflected the personalities, interests and talents of 4 of their learning disabled artists.
Artist and disabled rights activist, Gemma Nash, funded Memody to collaborate with Venture Arts in the creation of 4 songs that reflected the personalities, interests and talents of 4 of their learning disabled artists.
Manchester People First
Manchester People First
Throughout the summer of 2018 Memody collaborated with Manchester People First to support a group of learning disabled adults to write and record two songs. They shared both their experiences of hate crime (which was shared with Greater Manchester Police at a conference on hate crime!), and also the love and support that MPF provides for the community.
Throughout the summer of 2018 Memody collaborated with Manchester People First to support a group of learning disabled adults to write and record two songs. They shared both their experiences of hate crime (which was shared with Greater Manchester Police at a conference on hate crime!), and also the love and support that MPF provides for the community.
Dom G
Dom G
In 2017 Memody met Dominic Bennett, a rapper who has Downs Syndrome, whilst delivering a project for learning disabled artists with Creating Adventures at Gorse Hill Studios. Dominic now runs his own music project called AMP (Accessible Music Productions) at the theatre/cinema HOME, and has just released his full-length debut album!
In 2017 Memody met Dominic Bennett, a rapper who has Downs Syndrome, whilst delivering a project for learning disabled artists with Creating Adventures at Gorse Hill Studios. Dominic now runs his own music project called AMP (Accessible Music Productions) at the theatre/cinema HOME, and has just released his full-length debut album!
Oswald Road Primary School
Oswald Road Primary School
Memody delivered pastoral songwriting and recording sessions for children who felt marginalised within the school community throughout 2015, helping to develop participants’ self esteem and sense of purpose.
Memody delivered pastoral songwriting and recording sessions for children who felt marginalised within the school community throughout 2015, helping to develop participants’ self esteem and sense of purpose.
Greater Manchester Libraries
Greater Manchester Libraries
In 2016 Memody delivered a 6 month project in libraries across Greater Manchester, delivering songwriting sessions to a range of children engaged in the libraries’ social outreach programmes. This project was in collaboration with Awards for All.
In 2016 Memody delivered a 6 month project in libraries across Greater Manchester, delivering songwriting sessions to a range of children engaged in the libraries’ social outreach programmes. This project was in collaboration with Awards for All.
"Memody really made the sessions as accessible as possible... It was wonderful to see as many girls as boys taking part"
Paula Carley, Manchester Libraries Service Development Co-ordinator
The Music
Our Soundcloud pages are full of music created by participants who wish to share their work. Check back regularly for more creative sounds from Memody alumni!
“This project is a great way to get young people’s voices heard in the right way- expressing our feelings through music... And I really like the support we get writing our songs!”
Boombox Project participant
The Memody Team
Tom Edney
CEO
With nearly 20 years songwriting, recording and performance experience, as well as a background in social work and education, Tom founded Memody in 2015 with the intention of serving the communities of Greater Manchester and beyond, delivering a service that provides high quality songwriting and recording tuition for the less privileged members of society.
Nick Rogers
Manager
Nick has over a decade experience working with young people in a wide variety of settings across the country. He is passionate about ensuring young people from all backgrounds have exciting and quality experiences and opportunities that inspire. He brings a wealth of experience planning and coordinating programmes with young people to the team.
Richard Kankondo
Facilitator
Richard is a professional singer-songwriter, guitarist, music producer and DJ. He has performed his music on stages across the UK and Europe. As an artist and facilitator his key focus is to offer a platform for people to creatively express themselves with freedom and safety, giving space for people to have their voice heard.
Balraj Samrai
Facilitator
Producer, DJ and Educator Balraj Samrai is one of the founding members of Manchester institution Swing Ting. He’s released on record labels such as Unknown to the Unknown, Don’t Be Afraid, Keysound, Niche N Bump & Fat City.
Balraj currently lectures at BIMM Music college in Manchester, and has delivered workshops all over the world.
Alex Armstrong-Holding
Director
Alex has spent his professional life establishing himself as a recording engineer and producer, and spending time in film, TV and broadcast.
Since becoming a Memody director in 2018, Alex’s skills and knowledge have brought a new angle to Memody’s brand and operations.
Pops Roberts
Facilitator
Pops is a producer and vocalist who specialises in Ableton Live training, songwriting, structure and topline. Previous clients include Apollo R&S, Fulfill and various independents and publishing.
She has long term experience teaching music production for high profile organisations such as Brighter Sound, and the British Arts Council.
Katrina Awramenko
Facilitator
Kat’s ethos as a musician/facilitator is centred around providing a safe space for creative expression, whatever the background of the participants.
She produces, sings and performs her own music- as well as conducting and arranging for SHEchoir Manchester.
Simon Waters
Secretary
Simon’s career has seen him writing musicals for the West End as well as for his local community in South Manchester. He specialises in participatory music and musical theatre.
As a founding member of Memody he has contributed a wealth of experience to the team from the very start.
Contact Us
Want to get in touch about something? We would love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our email, our socials (below) or the contact form opposite.
info@memody.org