Gerry Robinson

NEIGHBOURHOOD TICKET SCHEME PARTNER

Gerry Robinson is a Care Navigator at Wirral CYPMHS, a proud partner of our Neighbourhood Ticket Scheme. Working alongside organisations including CYMPHS, we support our closest neighbours and those further afield who are experiencing financial barriers to attending live music. As a key member of the CYMPHS team and a strong supporter of the Neighbourhood Ticket Scheme, capturing Gerry’s stories and experiences of Future Yard is of the upmost importance to us. Through organisations like CYMPHS, we are able to Build Our Future together.

What is the Neighbourhood Ticket Scheme?

“The Neighbourhood Ticketing Scheme at Future Yard is intended to make live music and cultural events more accessible to people who might otherwise face financial barriers to coming along to gigs and events. The scheme prioritises residents living locally in CH41 and CH42 postcode areas, including Birkenhead, Tranmere, Bidstone, St James and Rock Ferry, which are some of the venue’s closest neighbouring communities.”

“These areas experience some of the highest levels of social and economic deprivation in the UK, which can create additional barriers to accessing arts and cultural experiences and events.”

“By prioritising local residents, the scheme helps ensure that the community where Future Yard is based can directly benefit from what the venue offers.”

Why did your organisation decide to take part in the scheme?

“What we hear when we talk to our young people about what matters to them is that they enjoy music in one way or another.”

“CYPMHS is a service that supports children and young people with moderate to severe mental health issues. Many of our children and young people suffer with low mood, depression, anxiety, are socially isolated or lack a sense of belonging or identity.”

“What Future Yard as a venue has to offer to our young people is incredible. There is something for everyone, whether it be getting out to see a gig or joining a small, like-minded group of other young people to develop playing skills and maybe even form a band, Future Yard helps to break down barriers and bridge divides.”

“Future Yard helps to facilitate social connection and support our young people.”

“It is a creative and inclusive space where people from diverse backgrounds can come together, collaborate and build relationships. They have a wide range of genres that will suit every musical taste and interest, thus potentially contributing to the overall mental wellbeing of our young people, particularly those who are struggling with a wide range of mental challenges.”

What do you feel the impact of Future Yard has been on the people that you work with?

“There are a wide range of young people we have signposted to Future Yard for all things from attending free gigs through NTS, accessing small groups to make music and new friends with peers, to studying a course that teaches amazing skills that prepare children and young people for various career options in the music industry. Here are some of the ways we feel Future Yard have helped our children and young people and the families that are involved in our service:

Reduced anxiety and isolation for those who feel they ‘don’t fit in’. Future Yard offers a sense of belonging and, for some, preventing/ reducing suicidal thoughts and ideation
Combatting loneliness
Improving self confidence
Making new friends and feeling connected
Helping to combat social anxiety
Providing enjoyment and fulfillment
Feeling part of a community”

“Everyone is welcome at Future Yard. It’s a really inclusive environment. There is no judgement, everyone fits in and is made to feel welcome and as if they have walked into a circle of people who support each other and have a common connection- music!”

How do you feel about the new build at Future Yard?

“This is a very exciting time for all residents of Wirral. But particularly for the children and young people involved in our service. The new build will hopefully create more opportunities for people to come together in a bigger space, attracting bigger bands and artists.”

What are your current favourite things about Future Yard?

“For me personally the story behind Future Yard and how it came about means a lot.”

“I am Birkenhead born and bred and feel proud to have this place on my doorstep, enabling people in our local community to come together.”

“The Care Nav team shared also that we love the emphasis on education and how children and young people can learn skills in real-life, hands-on situations, learning and being inspired by the amazing teachers and staff who work there.”

Finally, what does music mean to you and the people that you work with?

“Music is very important to me and always has been.”

“Music brings joy and connectedness among people. Music also helps me to stay in touch with my emotions and provides me with an escape.”

“It can help to lift my mood and helps me to express my emotions more easily.”

“I think our children and young people feel much the same as I do. I think sometimes the CYP we work with need a little support to perhaps see the benefits of music, it often seems like the love of music and passion is there, but they face barriers in accessing it due to anxiety, social difficulties, neurodiversity, feeling different/ marginalised. “

“Music helps our children and young people to feel connected and included and Future Yard really does well in providing opportunities to overcome these barriers.”