HE'S a musician in well known band Youth Club, a producer, a graphic designer and also a successful DJ, but like most people in the music and creative industry, Joe White says the effect of the pandemic caused certain struggles.

The hardship led him to re-evaluate areas of his production business, JHustl3, and out of it, a brand new initiative has been born to help creatives who are in their start-up stages.

Called Helping Creatives, the project invites people to buy monthly raffle tickets, the funds of which will go towards product giveaways, support and exclusive industry information, funding and opportunities, for burgeoning artists.

Each month a raffle ticket winner will receive a guitar built by Joe.

Joe, from Southend, explained: "2020 through to 2022 has been tough on musicians and creatives.

"I lost all my work touring with my band Youth Club, DJ gigs most weekends got cancelled and I spent the last few months changing up my business, looking more online.

"With what I learned I have just launched Helping Creative, a project to help other musicians.

"I am building guitars from scratch, raffling them off monthly and using the profit to give back to other musicians who need that cash injection to get their music out and survive as well.

"It's a hard time for people to start getting into music, or if they had started their journey, financial pressures may have stopped all the work they had put in. I know for me this was the case. I had given away multiple guitars and keyboards, music software and cash during lockdown to try and support others but with work depleting myself, I could no longer fund this from my own pocket.

"I decided to come up with Helping Creatives, so [via the funds from sold raffle tickets] I could continue helping and supporting those around me.

"Helping Creatives will help with not just the knowledge of the industry, but bits of gear to help either start or continue people's musical and creative pursuits.

"I can't wait to see bands perform with guitars I have built and see someone's release climb the charts knowing I helped that happen and gave them a fighting chance at continuing what they love.

"It took me a while to get my music together during lockdown and I'm only just about to release my first single for two years on January 21. So I really feel I know how others are feeling and where I can help.

"My producing skills, my contacts with mixing engineers and master engineers, my graphic design skills, my first hand links with distributors and PR agents, all can help other artists out.

"It's time to stop gate keeping, time to help each other.

"I'm really excited to see where I can take this project and idea and seeing how much I can help this year."

To find out more and how to buy a raffle ticket, visit jhustl3.com