Duke of Cornwall Benevolent Fund – music software for young carer

Herbie is a 17 year-old carer. He helps care for his disabled sister, Susie, who needs assistance with everything she does. Herbie plays the guitar, keyboard and drums and studies Music Production and Performance.

Herbie received help from the Duke of Cornwall Benevolent Fund to purchase music editing/recording software to enable him to create, mix and reproduce music to a professional standard in his recording studio, in the attic of his home. The Fund supports young carers where their duties go beyond what would be expected for a person of their age.

Herbie used the software to play music and record songs with his sister. This has helped him in his musical studies, and he has been accepted to study music production at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. He comments “I have used the grant to purchase special editing software. We have used this together to make and record Susie’s unique songs and music.”

Herbie’s sponsor, Cornwall Accessible Activity, comments: “Herbie has now got a band together, so his social life has improved. The new equipment allows him to spend more quality time with his disabled sister as they play and record music together. He has also used the equipment to help him in his music production studies, and has gained a place at college to study music production.”