A DUNFERMLINE charity is transforming an old pub and young people's lives through the power of music.

Heart and Sound secured a 10-year lease on Sinky's, and the Jamjar upstairs, and are busy turning it into media production and recording studios.

The impressive set-up in Pilmuir Street is based on the BBC Live Lounge concept and is a base for their youth and volunteer work.

Steve Chalmers, who founded the charity, explained: "People want to volunteer here as it's relevant to what they enjoy, they're really into their music.

"The one target we have is to raise the confidence of young people, set them up to win and give them exciting things to do.

"We have a lot of volunteering opportunities, not the kind where you're folding clothes in a shop but stuff that's relevant in the 21st century.

"And if they log 50 hours volunteering, they get a certificate they can list on their CV which helps in college or job interviews."

Heart and Sound recorded 50 bands last year, you can view some of the impressive performances on their Facebook page, while youngsters are given the opportunity to learn an instrument, sing, write, produce, film, record.

There are plenty of opportunities but it's no youth club.

Steve said: "Under-25s get free recording and they repay us through volunteering hours.

"The bands come in and it's all filmed, mixed and produced by volunteers aged 13 to 25.

"In a few years' time, I think a lot of them are going to be famous, they're that good.

"Mind you, the amount of bands that come along, you meet them in the streets a week or so later and they've split up already!"

The charity's plans to turn the old Velocity nightclub next door into an indoor skate park are on hold for now but they've had plenty to keep them busy.

With funding and help from the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, the Robertson Trust, Voluntary Action Fund and others, Heart and Sound have transformed the former pub, with the upstairs turned into a top-notch recording studio and live space which can also be used for gigs and conferences.

Downstairs, there's room for a cafe, workshops and a chill-out space and it's also available for community use.

He continued: "Our Facebook page has a massive reach, every video will get 1,500 views minimum, and we've helped out PJ Molloy's with bands for certain nights. They've been a big help and Dunfermline is very well connected that way.

"We've found it easy to give people opportunities and find places for them to play."

They've also run football projects and a School of Rock event while Scott Burrell, an "incredible" professional drummer, has been giving masterclasses for free.

It's not all play as the youth work includes a 'Breakfast of Champions', for those aged 16 to 25 that are not in employment or education.

The mentoring sessions, aided by coffee and bacon butties, help the young people organise their week, schedule interviews and bring some structure and encouragement to their lives.

Steve said: "Heart and Sound is a great opportunity for people to get a boost, a distraction from their own life and a chance to make things happen rather than just sitting in a room wondering what they want to do in life.

"Young people who have been here, some didn't know what they wanted to do, now have careers or courses in areas like sound engineering, media or video.

"Lots of them were just going round in circles, we've had people at 21 or 22 who had done nothing since they were 16, education didn't work for them, or there were mental health problems, depression, anxiety, issues like that."

They've been invited to share their success story at the Houses of Parliament, with a number of bands going to London and a presentation to politicians, bankers and businessmen.

And they scored a free gig at the O2 Academy in Glasgow after helping another charity, Hope 4 Justice, collect funds at the venue.

Steve said: "We'll get people stop by and say: 'I wish I had this when I was a lad' and they've donated amps, guitars, drums, it's just great.

"It doesn't feel like work! We want them to get as much out of it as possible and when you're helping people, there is a real feelgood factor."