Thirteen years of changing young lives: the Unsung Heroes behind Campden Edge
It might have started as just a few drumming lessons, but for one young student in the north Cotswolds, those lessons were the beginning of a journey that would take them all the way to a top music school and towards a future in music.
That future was made possible thanks to the support of a small local charity which helped make sure a lack of money didn’t stand in the way of talent.
This is just one of the young lives that Keyna Doran and Vanessa Rigg have helped change since founding Campden Edge Youth Arts Charity in 2013 – work that led to them being recognised as Unsung Heroes at Cotswold District Council’s full council meeting in July.
The charity was founded in 2013 after Keyna and Vanessa recognised that some local children were missing out on creative opportunities simply because their families could not afford them.
More than a decade later, Campden Edge has supported hundreds of young people aged 8 to 26 living in, or attending school in, Chipping Campden and the surrounding area, helping to fund music lessons, instruments and other creative opportunities.
For Keyna and Vanessa, access to the arts is about much more than learning a new skill. They say it can give young people the chance to discover something they are good at, build confidence and friendships, and improve their wellbeing.
They are particularly passionate about supporting children who may not thrive in traditional education. The pair said creative activities can give young people, including those with special educational needs, another way to excel and can help with school attendance, mental health, decision-making and critical thinking.
One example is Campden Edge’s work with Pathfinders, an alternative provision linked to Chipping Campden School. The charity funded music sessions where pupils learned drums, guitar and piano. The sessions helped some of the young people form friendships and develop a sense of belonging.
The impact of Campden Edge’s support can be seen in the journeys of young people who have been supported by the charity over many years.
The music student whose journey began with those early drumming lessons has received support from Campden Edge since primary school. After funding their drumming lessons in Years 7 to 9, the charity later helped with saxophone lessons as their ambitions in music grew. Campden Edge continued their support by funding piano lessons at Chetham’s School of Music.
The student said: “Throughout my entire musical life, I have received financial support for music lessons from Campden Edge. I simply would not have been able to access the education I needed without them, and I am immensely grateful for their ongoing contributions.
“I cannot stress how significant it has been for my development, both personally and musically; their support has been genuinely life-changing.”
The charity is run entirely by volunteers, meaning the money raised can go directly towards supporting young people.
Keyna and Vanessa said volunteering is incredibly rewarding, giving people the opportunity to meet others they might not otherwise encounter while doing something positive for their community.
They also believe that small actions can make a big difference. Vanessa said: “The difference you can make on your own doorstep is remarkable.”
The pair hope their recognition as Unsung Heroes will encourage more people to get involved in their own communities. They said people do not need to wait for someone else to make a difference and that communities can create positive change when people are willing to get involved.
Keyna also hopes Campden Edge’s experience will inspire others to set up similar charities in their own areas.
She said: “It’s easy to do. You just need time and patience. We’re very happy to speak to anyone who is interested in setting up something similar in their area.”
For Keyna and Vanessa, the charity’s 13 years of work are ultimately about giving young people opportunities they might otherwise have missed – and helping them discover where their talents and interests could take them.
Nominate an Unsung Hero
Keyna and Vanessa are two of the latest recipients of Cotswold District Council’s Unsung Hero Awards, which celebrate people who make an outstanding difference in their communities without seeking recognition.
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised? Nominations for the next round of awards are now open at cotswold.gov.uk/unsungheroes.