Author: Kate Crudgington

The covid-19 lockdown has left many of us feeling separated and isolated from the communities we were once so actively a part of. Whilst the pandemic is inevitably testing the strength of these communities, it’s also highlighting the resilience of them; and the Young Women’s Project (YWMP) have come up with a creative way to lift the burden of isolation.

Based in Oxfordshire, YWMP have launched their Isolation Compilation today (5th June) to raise funds for the charity, which supports young women aged 14-21 to gain skills and confidence through music. Isolation is not a new experience for young people who face marginalisation, abuse, instability and discrimination. The compilation brings together these experiences of responding to and coping with loneliness, and is accompanied by a digital zine, which is a collection of artwork and writing created by 14 young people who are part of YWMP.

The Isolation Compilation is composed of 10 tracks, each contributed by a participant of YWMP, mastered by Oxford-based sound engineer Tim Turan, showcasing the talent of the young people involved in the project. To make the zine – which has been curated by local artist and facilitator Amy Beddoweach – each young person’s piece of writing has been paired with a different participants’ artwork, to visualise shared experiences of isolation.

Rosie Rowland has created bespoke album artwork for the project, while also featuring with a track under the name Rhodin. Rosie, now a Bristol based independent artist, first came to YWMP aged 11. Her artwork has been animated by film-maker Maya Francis, a long-standing collaborator with YWMP.

Zahra Tehrani, Director of the charity, said that although “bringing people together at an uncertain and confusing time has been a challenge, we always use creativity as the tool to unlock potential. This time we have brought music and art together to amplify the voices of the young people we work with, as they are all experiencing a period of personal loss. The idea of being connected, and still having an audience to share with, is vital for our community right now.” YWMP responded to lockdown by taking their sessions online, running discussion groups and workshops exploring the work of women in music history, while continuing to mentor vulnerable young people one to one to support them through the challenges of isolation.

All proceeds from sales will go directly to the charity, which has lost tens of thousands of pounds as a result of all fundraising gigs and events being cancelled during the Covid-19 crisis.

The album and zine are downloadable together on Bandcamp from today (5th June). On the first day of release all fees are waived by Bandcamp, so that YWMP will receive 100% of the proceeds. Click here to download & donate!

Visit the Young Women’s Project website for more information.