Music charity on track to create positive change in young people’s lives with new funding

An award-winning youth charity has just secured funding to improve access to grassroots music education for young people.

The cash from Merchant Taylors’ Foundation will provide Lewisham Music with access to industry standard professional musicians, spaces, and equipment for five years.

Chief executive of Lewisham Music, Charly Richardson said: “We are delighted to be working on this significant partnership with Merchant Taylors’ Foundation and are very grateful for their support.”

The programme has been developed over the past two years to address the challenges young people in Lewisham face when starting out their career in the music industry.

Mr Richardson said: “It will allow us to reach more young people in a more targeted way, and I can’t wait to see the impact it will have.” 

The programme has three strands including community bursaries which will offer music tuition, projects, events, advice, and mentoring.

The Creative Futures Lewisham strand is focused on underrepresented groups, offering employment support within the creative industries.

The third strand, community development, will fund new activities, projects and courses across the borough for families and young people.

A spokesman from Merchant Taylors’ Foundation said: “Young people are at the centre of the Merchant Taylors’ Foundation vision, and we’re delighted to be working with Lewisham Music on this exciting new collaboration.”

The plans are already well underway with the first Creative Futures course, audio production for film and TV having just wrapped up. 

For more than five weeks, Lewisham Music were joined by industry experts who guided 15 participants throughout the world of sync and library music, working on real-life briefs, soaking up insider tips, and enjoying one-to-one mentoring. 

Tilda Landehag, creative careers producer, Lewisham Music said: “We want to show people what’s available out there, and to help them navigate paths into the creative industry. 

“I remember how challenging it was for me and I’m hoping that we will be able to help and guide people on their journey.” 

Over the next five years, the initiative will allow Lewisham Music to reach hundreds of young people in Lewisham, aiming to develop meaningful relationships within the Lewisham community, education, voluntary and employment sectors.

Pictured top: Lewisham Music’s ‘Vocal Collective’ (Picture: Lewisham Music)