A MUSICAL duo who are passing on their experience to the younger generation has scooped a top award.
Horizon Studios, which was founded in 2021, is a community interest company that supports and empowers young people through the medium of music. It is run by Barrow-based Josh Spedding and Josh Duncan, also known as Swerve and JD.
They claimed the new social enterprise of the year award at a county-wide event hosted in Carlisle.
Josh Duncan said the inspiration to set up the company came after doing a lot of work in the community.
Josh said: "There wasn't much guidance when we were getting into the music scene.
"Between us both we have around 15 years in the music industry and we thought rather than gatekeeping our experience and what we have learnt over time it would be more beneficial to offer that down to the next generation."
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As a community-driven enterprise, JD and Swerve strive to tackle social issues faced by communities which include:
- Anxiety & depression in young people, promoting better awareness of one’s mental health & re-engaging in social activities in a post-covid world.
- Reduce anti-social behaviour by channelling young people’s energy into activities with positive outcomes - Support people in employment by developing a number of personal & professional skills.
- Inspiring aspirations by offering placement in professional environments to experiment with creating.
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Horizon Studios work across the county, with schools, youth organisations and community groups.
Sarah Cubiss, delivery manager at Brathay Trust in Barrow, said: "We really valued our visit to Horizon Studios. They were able to engage with the young people in a really positive way and made them all feel capable and talented."
The Cumbria social enterprise awards was held at The Peoples First Conference Centre in Carlisle.
Josh said: "We were speechless to be recognised for the work that we do.
"We work almost every hour of the day finding new ways to reach people and developed partnerships with other organisations.
"It's phenomenal we go get lost in the work that we do so to have that moment meant a lot."
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