HQ Recording Studio
994. Yasin El Ashrafi
Yasin El Ashrafi, from Leicestershire, is a Prince’s Trust mentor transforming young lives through music.
Yasin founded ‘HQ Recording Studio’ in 2009 after overcoming a decade long battle with drug addiction. Driven by a desire to share his music industry insights with young people in need of guidance, he became a mentor for The Prince’s Trust ‘Talent Match Leicestershire’ programme. He began giving free studio space for 18 – 24 year olds who have been unemployed for over a year, supporting them to start a new chapter in their lives. Since then he has mentored over 80 young people, including those struggling with mental illness and ex-offenders. Many of Yasin’s mentees have started businesses or become self employed as a result of his guidance, and he has overseen eight young people securing record deals.
In a personal letter to Yasin, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“By sharing your knowledge of the music industry and providing free studio space, you are helping young people to realise their creative potential. You should be enormously proud of working with The Prince’s Trust to deliver inspirational mentoring which is helping so many young people in need of support to get back on their feet.”
John Ashword, MP for Leicester South, said:
“HQ Recording is a fantastic social enterprise that provides first class support and future personal development to its users.
“I visited HQ Recording Studio back in 2016 and I was very impressed with the services Yasin offers.
“Yasin is an inspiration for a lot of young people. Having overcome his own personal difficulties, Yasin works extremely hard to mentor many young people and give back to the local community.”
Neil O’Brien, MP for Harborough, said:
“Congratulations to Yasin. It is great this recognition for his work mentoring young people and giving them new opportunities in music.”
Yasin said:
“I’m very grateful and humbled to receive this award. It’s such an honour and a privilege to have the chance to use music, mentoring and creative enterprise to help people start the journey of improving their wellbeing and reaching their full potential. I’m also thankful to everyone at HQ CAN, The Prince’s Trust and The Big Lottery for providing the opportunity for me to work with so many young people.”