Regular music sessions will take centre stage in Lowestoft thanks to National Lottery funding.

A new two-year music project for young people and adults living in disadvantaged areas in the Waveney and Suffolk Coastal districts was launched this week.

The project, which is run by the arts charity Suffolk Artlink – in partnership with Access Community Trust – has been awarded £71,000 of National Lottery funding, through Youth Music and supported by Arts Council England.

Aimed at young people aged between 11 and 25, the Rock On project will provide regular rock, pop and DJ-ing music sessions in a Lowestoft youth club as well as specially developed music programmes, which will be run in a youth club in Saxmundham and three housing support programmes run by Access Community Trust.

Regular music sessions take place fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons from 5pm to 7pm at the Globe Youth Club at Sam's Coffee House at Bevan Street East, with the first session held on Tuesday, April 24.

With sessions informal and relaxed, there is the chance for participants to try out different instruments, develop skills and a band practice period where skills and techniques can be shared. Suffolk Artlink will also give young people the opportunity to perform, and the chance to gain an Arts Award.

All the instruments are provided, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Sessions in the housing support programmes will begin in May, starting at Coppice Court in Lowestoft. They aim to engage families with young children aged three to 16 and young parents with babies up to three-years-old – with the focus on building relationships.

Candida Wingate, Suffolk Artlink project officer, said: 'Making music can make a huge difference to people's lives. Rock On will explore ways of bringing people together through a shared love of music, helping them to develop their skills, build relationships, gain confidence, and improve their self-esteem.'

Dave Eagle, business support officer at Access Community Trust, added: 'We're delighted to welcome the Rock On music sessions to our Youth Project, The Globe at Sam's Coffee House Lowestoft.'

The Rock On project has also been supported by Suffolk Community Foundation and The Jay Singers.