Over 15 years ago Patrick started The Elevation Group - A pioneering organisation that worked with young people from the care system, many of whom had offended in the past.
Music, sport & art were the tools used to launch the organisation that had unprecedented success in keeping young people away from a life of crime.
Using a diverse and mainly young staff team, he quickly trained & moulded the organisation into a philanthropical business that youngsters from across the country knew about & wanted to work with.
After initially being hostile of the direct and respect based style of Elevation & its staff team, local authorities began to commission work and place young people with Elevation who at one stage ran 5 independent children's homes across Bristol & South Gloucestershire.
An impeccable safety record coupled with consistently good Ofsted reports and outstanding placement longevity meant that Elevation went from strength to strength.
The Media arm of Elevation offered services to local authorities wanting to advertise on radio and even went as far as scripting and producing the radio advertisements.
Elevation Media have also run training courses for young people in both music production & radio production as well as running NVQ & ASDAN accredited courses.
Known for their direct but honest approach to working with young people and their families, Elevation became one of the most highly respected community development organisations in the country.
Patrick is often invited to speak both in the Uk & across Europe and has sat on a number of government consultation panels to pass on his much sought after expertise.
Patrick Hart has been involved in the music industry for over 30 years. Described by many as "one of the Bristol Sounds Pioneers" his musical collectives began with the Cryptic Crew in the late 80's whose large membership boasted the likes of Tricky, DJ Bunjy, Jody & Di from Sub Love to name but a few.
The now legendary "Freshblood Posse" were Patrick's next big project, culminating in excess of 850,000 independent unit sales and tours across the Atlantic with rap giants Naughty by Nature and other support listings including Omar, Public Enemy, Peter Andre, Maxi Priest, Blue, Mica Paris, Incognito and Curiosity to name but a few. Patrick worked and managed MC Mikee Freedom of Nomad, whose smash "I Wanna Give you Devotion" hit the top spot in virtually every territory in the world.
When Patrick's MC'ing career began, the likes of Massive Attack were still "unborn" They were then "Wild Bunch" and though they followed very different musical paths, the guys played football against each others crews on a regular basis and kept a mutual respect for each other that still exists today.
With labels like Freshblood Recordings, Outcry Records, UK Independents and Riddem Music all moving unprecedented amounts of both vinyl & digital units. He also set up Patikular Music with R&B artist I-Kay.
A renowned Radio DJ & MC, Patrick hosted shows on some of the Uk & Canada's top radio stations and used that expertise to work with a consortium and launch his own station (Star FM) that was eventually sold to the UKRD radio group.
Always into development of the individual, always known and renowned as a man of principle, Patrick is a rarity in the often cut-throat music business. He has used his self taught business knowledge to build a real reputation of trust and ethics whilst still running a ruthlessly tight and focussed business portfolio.
He was recently (July 09) chosen to be part of the select steering group to help determine the future of Bristol's Colston Hall.
For over 20 years Patrick has been involved in local sports in particular soccer, playing, broadcasting, developing and sponsoring hundreds of players.
With three talented footballing brothers, Patrick always knew he was not an accomplished soccer player himself but was determined to improve his skills and began to play Sunday soccer at the age of 24.
His theory being "you're never too old to learn" despite his lack of technical ability, his drive and enthusiasm was contagious and spurred on an array of both youngsters and older players to take up the game.
Initially setting up his own team under the banner Soundsville Sports and then the now renowned Bristol Athletic, Patrick has managed to use sport as a vehicle to promote unity and racial justice within the football community and abroad in Spain, Canada, Germany & Holland.
Pat has many friends in the game from the very highest level to grassroots stalwarts.
A recent fund raising testimonial in his honour at Clevedon's Hand Stadium saw former stars from both Bristol City & Bristol Rovers turn out alongside personalities from television & national radio, all paying tribute to his immense impact on local sport.
He's been recognised nationally for his work with the "Kick it Out" campaign and has managed to not only gain his club an FA Charter Standard Award, but also bring successive promotions to his Saturday side and take his Sunday sides to the highest division, attracting some of the best local youngsters.
Bristol Athletic were greeted by Bristol's Lord Mayor recently and returned to the UK with an array of trophies after a record breaking tour.
Both Patrick and his club have set the standard that so many others are now using as a benchmark. As well as being invited onto the 'Bristol Bid' World Cup steering group, he and fellow member Carl Saunders have just been commissioned by Bristol City Council and The Legacy Commission to set up a community football task force.
