A GROUP using rap, hip-hop, art and sports to work with young people from a variety of backgrounds has received a cash boost. . . from the police.

Heavy Sound works with young people who face barriers to learning and inclusion, as well as those who have experienced trauma, throughout East Lothian.

Projects include song-writing, music production, art therapy and fitness, including mixed martial arts.

The Cockenzie Business Hub-based group received a donation of £1,450 from the East Lothian Police Community Fund recently.

Jordan Butler, CEO of Heavy Sound, was delighted with the funding boost.

He told the Courier: “The police are aware of the work we do and we have got a really good relationship with them.

“In terms of a cash investment it is a great recognition. The more complex part of it is it is an investment in our young people.

“A lot of the young people we work with have had interactions and experiences with the police.

“This helps them to see their role in communities and supporting organisations like us in a new light.

“They will directly benefit from the money given to us.”

Youngsters will now get a chance to decide what the four-figure sum is spent on, with the money invested back into the organisation, which was previously based in Tranent.

Through Heavy Sound, young people learn new skills, boosting their self-esteem and wellbeing in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Mr Butler explained how the group had been busy throughout much of the lockdown period over the last 12 months.

He said: “We’ve been operational the whole time.

“We’ve been doing face-to-face work since May and right now we are working with 42 young people a week.”

Constables Fiona Cunningham and Dougie Smith, community officers, stopped off to make the donation recently.

It came after the group’s work was recognised by Local Area Commander Chief Inspector Neil Mitchell.

He said: “Every year in East Lothian we have a sum of money called our community fund, which is donated to support projects across the county that deal with issues that are identified as priorities in our local policing plan.

“We have donated to numerous charities, community, youth and volunteer groups, including this donation to Heavy Sound.

“My local community officers work day in, day out with these groups and see the huge difference they make to the lives of those who use them.

“It is the officers themselves who ask for money from the fund to support the groups.

“Heavy Sound is a fantastic example of how community groups can engage with youths through music and assist them onto successful pathways.

“We have also supported a community kitchen, Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL), purchased speed-reducing items for a local primary school and given money to the Pennypit Centre in Prestonpans to fund additional staff over the Easter and summer holidays.

“These projects and the many more we have funded all work closely with community police officers and bring genuine benefits to all.”