Reeltime Music has secured a new base in the centre of Motherwell

Motherwell-based charity, Reeltime Music, is set to raise the roof in brand-new premises, thanks to support from steel firm UKSE.

The community group, which aims to inspire young people in the North Lanarkshire area through creative projects and workshops, has secured a new unit within Motherwell town centre, which will allow for more creative learning to take place.

Reeltime Music, which has operated in the area for over 23 years, received £2,500 from UKSE towards securing the new premises. The unit will house two purpose-built workshop and music rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, and performance and small conference space. 

UKSE’s funding allowed Reeltime to successfully bid for a grant worth more than £1.17 million from the Scottish Government, allowing them to make the move and transform the unit into a specialist facility.

The charity, which works with around 1,000 young people each year, aims to create positive changes for young people in deprived locations, providing them with support and routes into education and the workplace.

Throughout lockdown, Reeltime has provided one to one sessions to its young people virtually, including podcasts, live music performances and variety of creative webinars.

UKSE, a subsidiary of TATA Steel, has been a long-standing supporter of Reeltime Music, previously assisting them with funding in 2016 and 2019.

Ryan Currie, project manager at Reeltime Music said: “We are very grateful for all the help UKSE have given us over the years. They saw potential in Reeltime years ago, and their continued support really means so much to us.

“Our programme is designed to provide young people who have faced various barriers with a place where they can be creative, and in turn, improve their self-esteem and confidence. Over the last 23 years, we’ve worked with 23,000 young people and without the support from the likes of UKSE, we might not have been able to make such a big impact.

“We’re very much looking forward to making the move and welcoming people into our new home, when restrictions allow.”

Scott Webb, area manager at UKSE, said: “The work Reeltime carry out is inspirational and really invaluable to young people in and around the Motherwell area. It’s fantastic to see them expand into bigger premises and be able to increase the services they can offer to its members.

“We’re excited to see what’s in store for the charity and look forward to visiting when they are settled in their new home.”