Young Sounds UK and the UK Government unite to support young people from low-income families through music

National music education charity, Young Sounds UK leads a £5.8 million pilot programme, with backing from the Department for Education.

Up to 1,000 young people from low-income families and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to receive targeted support to progress their musical talent and interests.

The programme will run for four years, starting in September 2024, focusing on 12 key regions, including Sunderland, Bradford, Bury, and Stoke-on-Trent.

Young Sounds UK, the music education charity, is launching a new phase of its long running Connect programme, aimed at helping young people from low-income households and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to progress their musical talents. This expanded programme, which will receive £2 million from the Department for Education, for the Music Opportunities Pilot, which will support up to 1,000 young musicians over the next four years across 12 regions.

The development builds on the success of Young Sounds UK’s Connect initiative, which has been running for 15 years, and will now broaden its reach. Children with musical potential will receive intensive support, including free weekly instrumental or singing lessons, personal bursaries, and access to mentors. Those participating in the programme will also be able to attend termly Get Together events, to meet other aspiring musicians, be inspired by professional musicians and develop their skills.

Hester Cockcroft, Chief Executive of Young Sounds UK said: “Young Sounds Connect is designed to help young people from low-income families lead their own musical learning after whole-class lessons end, connecting them to funding, opportunities, and each other, so they can keep on progressing as musicians. 15 years since it was first piloted, we are delighted to be able to supercharge the programme model over the next four years through the Music Opportunities Pilot. Collaborating with parents/carers, music educators, and an amazing group of Music Hubs and national partners, we will continue to learn together, and share our learning, so that many more young people’s musical lives can flourish in the future.”

The programme aims to break down barriers to music education by equipping children with the support they need to succeed. Young Sounds UK will also be working with a range of partners such as BBC, National Youth Orchestra, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, find the full list in the editor’s note below. These partnerships will further enhance the programme, providing additional resources, mentorship, and opportunities for participants and music educators.

School Standards Minister, Catherine McKinnell said: ““The arts are one of the most important ways to help children and young people to develop creativity and find their voice. Music opportunities should be available to all pupils – no matter their background or circumstance.  

“Following a summer filled with vibrant festivals and creative acts that filled the streets with energy, it’s clear the role music plays in enriching lives. By investing in our young people, we not only nurture individual talent, but also secure the future of the UK’s rich music scene by fostering a deep appreciation for music from an early age. Alongside our Curriculum and Assessment Review, the Music Opportunities pilot will help break down the barriers to opportunity by widening access to the arts for more young people across the country.”

Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said: “Music should never be the preserve of a privileged few. I want everyone to have a chance to realise their talent regardless of their background. 

“This support will help to make sure that every child has access to high-quality creative education, with the opportunity to learn musical skills that may become the foundation of a lifelong passion or a future star of the UK arts scene.”

By investing in young talent, Young Sounds UK is paving the way for a more inclusive and vibrant future for British music. The programme represents a key step in breaking down the barriers that prevent young people from realising their potential, particularly those facing the most obstacles. Over the next four years, Young Sounds UK aims to create a scalable model that reaches more young people, drives innovation in the creative industries, and secures the future of the UK’s global arts reputation.

The government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review has been launched to drive high and rising standards for all pupils and tackle the barriers which hold them back, including pupils with SEND. As part of the review, it will consider how best to open up access to creative subjects such as music, art, sport, and drama. By prioritising music education and re-establishing the arts as an integral part of the curriculum the government is raising the status of studying creative subjects and the creative industry, ensuring the arts remain a powerful force in shaping the nation’s future.

Full information about Young Sounds UK and its work is available at http://www.youngsounds.org.uk.