Ashdon Jazz Academy started in 2015 following the tragic death of Ashdon Muirhead who ended her own life at the age of just 14 years. As a teenager Ashdon struggled with peer pressure, peer aggression at school and lacking confidence about being herself in a society that pressurises young women to be and act a certain way.
The charity aims to provide vulnerable young women aged 11-21 years with the insight, confidence and resilience to overcome the negative impact of isolation, peer pressure, bullying, family breakdown, stress and anxiety, the risk of or involvement in criminality and gangs and those who may be at risk of school exclusion. Through their Empowering & Inspiring Young Women work, they provide the opportunity to build a trusted and mutual relationship with a trained mentor for up to 12 months.
The Albert Hunt Trust has provided donations towards the running costs of this charity, whose founder, Patricia Muirhead, was recently recognised for her work on the BBC’s The One Show. Please visit http://www.ashdonjazzacademy.org.uk for the full show.
