Bit of a long story, I'll try to keep it brief. My 14 year old son is a fantastic musician. He plays bass guitar to a high standard, knows music theory and writes and sings. He has an EOTAS package due to severe anxiety and school trauma. He's diagnosed autistic. We moved from Worcester where he'd lived (as had I) all his life nearly 2 years ago as he was desperate to move away from the place that bought him so many bad memories. I was happy to move from there too for the same reasons.
We chose the Isle of Wight as my husband's family live here and they have an amazing music community here, plus Platform One College, where he was intending to go at 16. He's part of a rock school here through the college that is amazing. They form bands and meet every Saturday, then get to perform in a live music venue multiple times per year. He loves all of it but sadly he can't settle on the island. He wants to live on the mainland again. Preferably somewhere between the island and Worcester but definitely not Worcester. He suffers with OCD, and he can't stop the intrusive thought that he's on a small island surrounded by sea. He's having therapy but can't let go of this thought that's ruling his head.
Should he not be able to get over this island anxiety we are looking for a town with a college that does an extended level 3 in music performance for when he's 16. And crucially, there must also be some form of rock school or club where teens get together to play music before this. Does anyone know of anywhere? I've looked at Cirencester for example. I can seen they offer the college course but I can't see that there's a local rock school for the teens to join before they start college.
If anyone one can suggest anywhere I would be very grateful. It would just be great to have a backup plan should we have to move from the island. We work from home luckily, so can move anywhere in that region.
Thanks again
Amanda x