Girls-only DJ class in Leeds gets cash boost from Comic Relief

Be HER'd Girls Group at Leeds' DJ School UK is now able to reopen after lockdown thanks to a £3,473 grant from Comic Relief Community Fund for England.

The group, on Bridge Street in Leeds city centre, caters for girls aged nine to 18, and aims to help develop key DJ skills as well as boosting their self-confidence.

It runs for two hours every Tuesday during term time and this year will focus on how to share their skills with others.

The DJ School UK was forced to close throughout the lockdown, but with government guidance is now able to allow socially-distanced sessions to begin.

Thanks to this Comic Relief funding, the Be HER'd sessions can now re-start from September 22.

Jim Reiss, managing director of DJ School UK, said: "It's so good to see our girls-only club get continued funding. This money will provide confidence-building and educational music activities for young girls in a safe space - something I know has been sorely missed over lockdown.

"The club was invented by two beginner DJs five years ago. DJ School UK aims to be 100 per cent inclusive so when these two asked if we could have a girls-only space to address the gender imbalance in DJ culture I said yes straight away. It has been led by the young people since. It truly is by girls and for girls.”

As well as learning key DJ skills, a full-time youth worker is also on hand during Be HER'd classes, to help the girls discuss any issues they might have - and previous topics covered include online safety, healthy relationships and mental well-being.

The Comic Relief Community Fund (England) invests in grassroots community-led organisations with grants of up to £4,000 available for local organisations to give skills and advice or kick-start new initiatives.

The fund is run by national community charity Groundwork, whose CEO Graham Duxbury said: “Comic Relief Community Fund (England) contributes funds to community projects being delivered by grassroots organisations and we’re delighted to support this project.

"The diversity of projects that are being funded shows that local communities have a passion to create something great in their area.”

To find out more about Be HER'd or the DJ School UK, email [email protected].

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Laura Collins