LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD.

ONE STUDIO SESSION
AT A TIME.

ONE
STUDIO SESSION
AT A TIME.

We believe that music belongs to everyone, and so should the space to make it. 93% of children in the UK are being pushed out of music and the arts due to underfunding. Help us change that.

about the initiative

Empowering Music Charities and Organisations in England

Your postcode shouldn’t decide whether or not you get to make music. That’s why we partner with grassroots charities, CICs and not-for-profits across the UK to provide young people facing tough challenges with access to professional music studios, for free or at low cost.

Together with cultural youth organisation Small Green Shoots, and with support from The National Lottery Community Fund, we’re pleased to announce the Studios For All Fund.

The goal of this initiative is to empower music charities and organisations already working in England to engage disadvantaged, marginalised, and vulnerable individuals through music. Over three years (2024-2027), the Studios For All Fund will allocate £180,000 worth of studio time to at least 120 such groups across the country.

► OUR YEAR 1 REPORT

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our lead charity partner

Discover Small Green Shoots

Small Green Shoots is a Camden-based, youth-led Arts Council organisation, founded in 2009 by Music Week’s Campaigner of the Year 2023, Natalie Wade. Committed to enhancing career opportunities for underrepresented young adults in the music and creative industries, their achievements over the past 17 years include placing over 200 talented young people in jobs within the sector, including their current managing director, Makeda McMillan, who was one of their first alumni.

Alongside this, Small Green Shoots has secured over £1.7 million of early-stage funding for artists such as Jorja Smith, Mahalia, Hamzaa, Berwyn, The Compozers, Snap Capone, Benny Mails, Frisco, and more, and collaborated with brands such as Dr. Martens, Relentless Energy Drinks, and most recently, record label Atlantic Records.

► SMALL GREEN SHOOTS

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our studios partner

MAKE SOME NOISE AT PIRATE sTUDIOS

Born in Bristol and raised in London, Pirate Studios is a network of 24-hour spaces with over 700 studios worldwide and counting. The mission? To make professional studio spaces accessible to everyone. Open 24/7, fully equipped, and affordable—Pirate empowers artists at all levels to create whatever they want, whenever inspiration strikes.

At Pirate, we believe that access to professional studio spaces shouldn’t be a privilege—it’s a vital resource for fostering creativity, collaboration, and self expression. We launched the Studios For All Fund because we’ve seen firsthand how creative spaces can grow and nurture grassroots communities. By providing free access to our studios, we hope to give charities and organisations the tools they need to support talent, build confidence, and offer a safe space for people to explore their artistic potential.

► PIRATE.COM

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meet some of our partners

Charities, CICs, and OrgS

Photo: HVH Arts

Over three years (2024-2027), the Studios For All Fund will support at least 120 groups engaging disadvantaged, marginalised, and vulnerable individuals through music. Take a look at some of the incredible charities, CICs, not-for-profits we’re working with so far.

From youth groups like HvH ARTS, Everybody Loves Music, and Yeah Youth UK, to gender equality initiatives like Saffron Records, and mental health-focused organisations like Seed Sessions, get inspired by the diverse and creative ways these groups are using music to improve lives across the country.

our partners

→IslingtonMusicHub‍ ‍→Prez&Friends‍ ‍→YeahYouthUK‍ ‍→TheRecShop‍‍ ‍→ESEAmusic‍ ‍→HUBstudios‍ ‍→MastersSocialGroup‍ ‍→Rezon8‍ ‍→ProducersLinkUpProject‍ ‍→ThePeople'sRecoveryProject‍ ‍→ItsMoreThanMusic‍ ‍→RichMixCulturalFoundation‍ ‍→RapClubProductions‍ ‍→Podxparty‍ ‍→OpenSonix →CollectiveBeat‍ ‍→FadedCommunity‍ ‍→Selextorhood‍ ‍→KinshipTies‍ ‍→AmplifyHerLive‍ ‍→OriiCommunity‍ ‍→SSGSustainableLiving‍ ‍→MusicRehabProject‍ ‍→HVHarts‍ ‍→GoldsmithsAlchemy‍ ‍→SoundConnections‍ ‍→MusicReliefFoundation‍ ‍→Raving4aReason‍ ‍→Cntrlcadnce‍ ‍→SparkTheNoise‍ ‍→TheNarrativeCreate‍ ‍→ReformRadio‍ ‍→TheRebirthProject‍ ‍→BeeNSpired‍ ‍→Herstoryconnects‍ ‍→DreamchaserYouthClub‍ ‍→MusicOverEverything‍ ‍→MilkHoneyBees‍ ‍→HotTubTV‍ ‍→Riverside‍ ‍→FindingRhythms‍ ‍→TheMuseumOfYouthCulture‍ ‍→AndraCeeAcademy‍ ‍→Cre8ingVision‍ ‍→YAAD‍ ‍→RaiseTheBarMCR‍ ‍→BirminghamSaysNo‍ ‍→BirminghamCityUniversity‍ ‍→SocialButterflyInternational‍ ‍→CONEL‍ ‍→SoldOutCollective‍ ‍→SimmerDownArts →Music,Seen(ARTS)‍ ‍→NottinghamCAN‍ ‍→SoulSurge‍ ‍→NorwichUndergroundCollective‍ ‍→IreneTaylorTrust‍ ‍→ArtsEmergency‍ ‍→MusicBoxYorkshire‍ ‍→HomeGroup‍ ‍→TheCauseBristol‍ ‍→StepNow‍ ‍→N3WANGLE‍ ‍→GRSS‍ ‍→GirlsIRate

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testimonials

“Big Team actively works to create options and access for people where barriers exist in the live events industry. We currently support people who want to create, contribute and attend festivals while forging their own paths in the industry. For the past four years, our partnership with Studios For All has been invaluable and really positive, providing funded access to high-quality studio spaces that removes financial barriers for emerging talent, particularly through our project: Next Level. This has been great for creative output, confidence building, intergenerational collaborations and professional development.”

Lucy Caswell, Network Lead, BIG TEAM
“At Saffron, our mission is to support women, trans, and non-binary people in accessing music technology through education, community, and representation, challenging deep gender and racial inequalities in the sector. Our long-standing partnership with Studios for All has been essential, providing affordable, professional, and inclusive studio spaces that remove barriers, build confidence, and create clear pathways into the industry. It has allowed us to scale our Mix Nights DJ course and mentoring programme across multiple cities, reaching a wider, more diverse range of participants. Beyond logistics, this partnership sends a powerful message: marginalised genders belong not just in the audience, but in the studio, in our club scenes, and at the very heart of music culture.”

Laura Lewis-Paul, Founder/Director of Culture, SAFFRON
“At HvH ARTS, our mission is to remove financial and social barriers to the arts and open pathways into creative careers for young people. Since partnering with Studios For All and Pirate Studios in 2023, we have expanded our reach, supporting hundreds of children and young people from underrepresented and at-risk backgrounds across Camden. Regular access to Pirate’s professional studios has enabled us to deliver our Music Mentoring Project in a safe, consistent, and inspiring environment. Participants have grown in confidence, creativity, and independence, producing original music, performing live, mentoring peers, and progressing into further education and industry opportunities. The partnership has strengthened our impact while creating meaningful opportunities for young people to thrive through music.”

Debbi Clark, CEO-Founder, HVH ARTS
“The Faded Community CIC is a community-first platform supporting DJs and producers through events, education, and artist development. In a climate where opportunities, funding, and connection are limited, Studios for All has been instrumental in helping us bridge that gap. Through our Back2Back DJ Battle and wider programmes, access to Pirate Studios has enabled artists to practise, collaborate, and build confidence. From open decks to workshops and jam sessions, we’ve created spaces where artists can connect and grow. The biggest impact has been strengthening community culture, bringing people together, fostering collaboration, and proving that shared passion for music still creates meaningful human connection.”

Cat, Founder, THE FADED COMMUNITY
“The Workshops For Survivors series, delivered in partnership with Studios For All CIC and Pirate Studios, provides creative DJ and movement workshops for women and non-binary survivors of trauma, abuse, homelessness, and marginalisation. Access to Pirate’s professional studios has created transformative experiences for participants, many of whom are entering a music studio for the first time. The workshops build confidence, joy, empowerment, and self-belief through creativity and music. Participants have gone on to reconnect with music, engage with local music scenes, and even purchase their own DJ equipment. The partnership has created meaningful opportunities for healing, connection, and personal growth.”

Carys Evans, TRUE YOU TODAY
“The Music Box empowers people through music and the arts, delivering DJing, music production, songwriting, instrumental tuition, and performance programmes for young people and communities. Through Studios for All, The Music Box has used free studio access to deliver its ‘The King’s Trust Get Started in DJing and the Music Industry’ programme, alongside workshops with Leeds Youth Justice Service. Access to Pirate Studios has helped more young people facing barriers including SEND, mental health challenges, isolation, and criminal justice involvement to access professional facilities, develop skills, build confidence, and progress into creative careers. Being invited to The King’s Trust 50th Anniversary Celebration at Buckingham Palace was a proud achievement, reflecting the value and impact of the work being delivered.”

Daniel De Lissandri, Director, THE MUSIC BOX
“Plymouth Youth Music Service (PYMS), in partnership with Studios For All CIC and Pirate Studios, provides young people across Plymouth with access to professional DJ and rehearsal spaces that many would not otherwise experience. The partnership has enabled aspiring DJs and youth bands to develop their skills, prepare for performances, and build confidence in authentic industry environments. Access to Pirate’s studios has raised aspirations, strengthened creativity, and supported young people to perform at their best. By removing barriers to high-quality music opportunities, the partnership has inspired the next generation of DJs and musicians while making professional music experiences more accessible to all.”

Jozzy Mudzingwa, Music Service Lead, PLYMOUTH YOUTH MUSIC SERVICE
“Studios for All has been transformational for Elevate Your Sound and the young artists we support. Access to professional Pirate Studios has removed financial barriers and given emerging artists the opportunity to record, collaborate and develop in an industry-standard environment. We've seen significant growth in confidence, creativity and ambition, with participants beginning to see themselves as professional artists rather than aspiring musicians. Beyond the music, the partnership has fostered a strong peer community, with young people mentoring one another, collaborating across genres and taking ownership of their creative journeys. The programme has become a genuine pathway into the music industry, helping talented young people realise their potential and build sustainable creative futures”

Godwin Deveer, CFO / Head of Educational Development, STEP NOW
"Studios for All has enabled us to expand beyond the football pitch, using creative media to support young people's confidence, communication and personal development. Through access to professional Pirate Studios, we've recorded the GRSS Show, interviewed inspiring guests and given participants first-hand experience in a high-quality podcasting environment. Having access to industry-standard facilities has raised aspirations and provided a platform for young people to share their voices and stories. We've seen noticeable improvements in confidence, teamwork and self-expression, particularly among quieter participants. This partnership has strengthened our mission of creating opportunities through sport, education and creative media, helping young people realise their potential both on and off the pitch."

Nat Coleman, GRSS

► TALENT HAS NO POSTCODE

► TALENT HAS NO POSTCODE ► TALENT HAS NO POSTCODE

our funding criteria

Your Application Checklist

Check out our checklist to see if your charity, CIC or not-for-profit is eligible for funding.

We can only accept applications from grassroots charities, CICs and not-for-profits - individuals are not eligible.
This fund is exclusively for groups based in England. Applications from outside this region won’t be considered.
We want to connect with charities and organisations that have a proven history of engaging disadvantaged and marginalised young people under 30.
Are you a team player and a champion of diversity? We’re looking for groups that actively build and uplift their communities.
What do you plan to use the studio time for? Share how your initiatives will practically benefit the people you serve.
Describe how your group is making a positive impact in the music industry or wider society. We want to hear about your vision for meaningful change.