CHARITIES, CICS, AND ORGANISATIONS AT PIRATE
National Portfolio Organisation
Introducing: Small Green Shoots
Small Green Shoots represents a new type of apprenticeship. They focus not just on jobs, but on careers, offering an alternative to the conventional education and training system for entry into the job market. They create pathways for disadvantaged young people aged 18-25, providing access to the music and creative industries through paid training and secondment programmes with industry partners.
PROJECT
A key part of their programme includes personal and skills development, which incorporates studio time, opening up opportunities to write, record, and produce music.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Saffron Records
Founded in Bristol in 2015, Saffron operates as a non-profit organisation that offers training in music production, sound engineering, radio broadcasting, and DJing, along with an artist development programme and record label. Saffron aims to advance gender equality in the music tech sector by creating a safe space for women, non-binary individuals, and other minority genders to learn and build confidence. They strive to occupy traditionally male-dominated music tech spaces and become visible role models for others.
PROJECT
Through in-person events, Saffron effectively welcomes individuals from minority genders into an inclusive and collaborative community where they can thrive. At Pirate, they offer beginner courses in DJing (Mix Nights) and a mentoring programme, providing many participants with their first experiences in making and performing music.
Charity
Introducing: HvH ARTS
Studying the arts is often too costly for many young people, leaving creative careers to the privileged. HvH ARTS, a registered charity, offers free after-school, weekend, and holiday courses in over 20 arts and media programmes for 5–21-year-olds in Camden’s Queens Crescent area—one of the 10% most deprived in England, where 46% of children live in poverty.
PROJECT
HvH ARTS developed The Music Mentoring Project (TMMP) to support young people at risk and those who are gifted and talented in music by providing professional tutors and the chance to learn and develop new skills. This summer, young people in the TMMP programme had the opportunity to perform at events across the country, including Camden Inspire, The Scoop, and Wilderness Festival.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Everybody Loves Music
Everybody Loves Music offers a range of support services focused on personal development and community engagement through music. They collaborate with schools to provide one-to-one support, open events, and taster workshops that utilise music as a tool for learning and self-expression. They also design and deliver tailored projects for vulnerable groups, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and individuals in the youth justice system.
PROJECT
Everybody Loves Music has witnessed young people become involved with the police and youth justice services, where their music and lyrics have been used as evidence against them. Their group of young leaders, some from youth justice services, has identified a need for a project titled Losing Lives With Lyrics, aimed at raising community awareness about the dangers of harmful lyrics that can put young people at risk.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: The Music Box Yorkshire
The Music Box Yorkshire is a not-for-profit company providing regular, positive, accessible, motivational, and educational music tuition, lessons, projects, and workshops to people in the West Yorkshire area. They work with individuals from various backgrounds, uniting people of different races, ages, religions, socioeconomic statuses, and those with special behavioural and/or educational needs.
PROJECT
The Music Box Yorkshire will deliver projects at Pirate Studios, including DJing, Music Production, and Rock Band initiatives, offering practice sessions to students facing challenges in their lives, such as social anxiety, mental health needs, special educational needs, and disabilities. Their current core offering includes a series of weekly projects, such as two youth DJ groups, two adult DJ groups, three youth rock bands, one adult rock band, two youth guitar groups, and a youth choir.
Charity
Introducing: Young Urban Arts Foundation (YUAF)
YUAF empowers disadvantaged young people aged 11–19 through music, rap, spoken word, songwriting, DJing, and podcasting. They build trust and community, helping participants grow in confidence and creativity. When ready, young people access training and employment through YUAF’s programmes: YUAF (industry experience for Global Majority, LGBTQ+, disabled, and low-income 16–19s), Pathways (personalised support to overcome barriers), and Young Leaders.
PROJECT
Support from the Studios For All Fund will enhance young people’s participation in YUAF’s aftercare programmes: 121 Creative Development, Pathways, and YUAF Futures. The young people they work with come from high-needs, marginalised backgrounds (Global Majority, LGBTQ+, disabled, low-income) and often face barriers to access.
Local Authority
Introducing: Plymouth Youth Music Service
Plymouth Youth Music Service offers a variety of music opportunities for young people in Plymouth schools and local communities. They have highly skilled tutors who specialise in various instruments and genres, tailoring lessons to meet the needs and interests of each student.
PROJECT
Plymouth Youth Music Service will introduce modern music opportunities such as DJing, podcasting, and music production to those young people who do not necessarily see themselves fitting into bands, choirs, and orchestras. They will offer a safe space for young people to explore music and express themselves through sound, fostering a sense of belonging among participants and connecting them with peers who share similar interests.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Slambarz
Slambarz is a CIC in Sheffield focusing on Artist development through accessing professional recording studios, mentoring & personal growth, live performance preparation and working towards a body of work such as an EP. The aim of Slambarz is to provide a ground work for emerging artists.
PROJECT
Regular studio time allows artists aged 14-25 to familiarise themselves with equipment, software, recording techniques and studio etiquette which will also help them communicate more effectively with producers allowing them to feel more comfortable with experimentation and refinement. Facilitators and studio personnel act as informal mentors, providing guidance, industry knowledge and feedback, this allows the artist to be freely expressive in the environment helping them to create exceptional work.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Rap Club Productions
Rap Club Productions support young creatives across the arts to develop their talents, be part of a positive creative community, and access careers in the creative industries. They work in schools (the Rap Club programme) and with young people outside of school up to the age of 25. Their focus is generally within Black cultures. They host regular cyphers and create narrative films, run workshops and writing/recording sessions, music videos and run live events. They are youth led.
PROJECT
Rap Club Productions have two linked projects at Pirate - running rap cyphers for young creatives to share and showcase their talent in a creative community, alongside workshops/writing/recording sessions for young people who can't access this support.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: The Rise Collective
Founded in 2016 with young people using creativity for social change, the RISE Collective empowers marginalised under-25s through personal, creative, and professional growth, championing self-empowerment, amplified voices, and social change.
PROJECT
At Pirate, RISE will offer studio access to young creatives across England—particularly in Bristol, London, Brighton, and Manchester—helping them produce podcasts, radio shows, and original music that reflect underrepresented voices. This access will enhance production quality, build confidence and portfolios, and open pathways into creative careers.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Unity Through Music (UTM)
UTM provides young adults with the skills, equipment, and confidence to transition into the music industry. Aware of the limited opportunities and risks faced by many in their community, UTM offers a safe, inclusive space that promotes unity and channels creativity into positive paths.
PROJECT
Funding would support disadvantaged young people through studio sessions with professional mentors—engineers, songwriters, and vocal coaches—alongside band rehearsals and DJ classes. These opportunities help participants build confidence, develop skills, and gain valuable industry experience.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: U - Turnships
U-turnships CIC supports disadvantaged young people excluded from mainstream education, offering mentorship and creative opportunities that celebrate diversity. They also run the Afro Food Fest Thurrock, which grew from 1,000 attendees in its first year to 2,500 in its second, showcasing Afro-Caribbean food, music, and young performers.
PROJECT
U-turnships aims to give Thurrock-based young people a safe space to create music alongside artists from London and beyond. Recognising their interest in TV and film, the project will teach music sync and connect participants with production companies, giving them the chance to have their music featured on screen.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: True Cadence
True Cadence is a multi-award-winning music social enterprise based in Barking & Dagenham, and serving the entire East London, for young people who have been held back by socio-economic barriers and limited opportunities. They provide age-relatable support, mentoring and tailored artistic development to children and young people between 8 and 25 years old. Their programmes include songwriting, sound recording, music therapy, live performance workshops, vocal coaching, mentoring and their flagship programme which focuses on the business side of the music industry.
PROJECT
True Cadence will run music-making workshops involving young people with learning disabilities so that they can collaboratively make music based on topics they are passionate about, making music that will contribute to their EP. They would also like to use studio time as an incentive for young people who are part of their youth board, programmes and volunteering. This will encourage more youth involvement, teamwork and increase their commitment to community building focusing on areas such as youth voice and social justice.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Creative Opportunities
Creative Opportunities' vision is for all young people to understand the power of their creativity and use it to benefit their communities. Their mission is to teach young people transferable skills relevant to their interests through a mentorship programme, to guide them as they navigate their chosen pathways. They are driven by values of inclusivity, diversity, youth leadership, reflection, innovation, and social impact.
PROJECT
Creative Opportunities will offer free studio space to young people in their community, including those in their mentoring programme and members, passionate about music, audio production, and editing. This initiative focuses on supporting those facing barriers to entry, such as Deaf, Disabled, and Neurodivergent individuals, care-experienced young people, and prison leavers.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Poet's Palace
Poet's Palace is a UK-based Community Interest Company founded to provide a secure platform for emerging voices in the world of spoken word. Their vision is to become a globally recognized platform that empowers spoken word artists to amplify their voices, connect with diverse audiences, and inspire social and cultural change through the transformative power of spoken word.
PROJECT
Poet’s Palace project, Art as Activism with Youth the Gap, an award winning, social impact CIC addressing education inequality in Brighton, will look at empowering their group of young artists to explore social justice issues through spoken word. Together with participants they will have discussions to hear their ideas and ensure the themes reflect their experiences. They’ll have creative control over their tracks, making the final decisions on the sound and structure. This way, the project will truly represent their voices and ideas. The project will provide a platform for underrepresented voices in spoken word, allowing participants to share their stories and perspectives with a wider audience.
Charity
Introducing: Ifadiwura Temple UK
Ifadiwura Temple UK is an Ifa Temple that exists to encourage, teach and develop its members and to teach young people and younger generations self worth. They are working with disadvantaged young people and communities, to ensure they do not get involved in making the wrong choices. They target young people at the risk of offending, and young people identifying as NEET or on the verge, and those living in poverty. Due to the cost of living crisis, they want to roll out the project to ensure they can reach more disadvantaged young people. The group realises that youths centres are closing, with the possibility of it getting worse. They are therefore trying to provide positive avenues and safe spaces, where young people can develop and showcase their talent, which will give them a positive future.
PROJECT
The group would like to extend their performing arts academy. They want to use the studio to deliver drumming, singing and dancing sessions; to reduce anti-social behaviour within the community and society at large, by creating platforms for positive involvement and contribution.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Offshoots East Midlands
Offshoots are a Nottingham based CIC formed in 2012, with the purpose of providing a safe space for disadvantaged and marginalised people to engage in high quality social, creative and professional development opportunities, that would otherwise be inaccessible. Their main beneficiaries are young adults between the ages of 16-30 who face challenging circumstances such as: financial restraint, isolation, lack of support networks and poor physical or mental health. Their day-to-day activities support a community of 150 young people through free-to-access projects such as the award winning youth-led music and development programme ‘Circle of Light’, pastoral support and use of their facilities.
PROJECT
Offshoots have a group of around 30 talented musicians who were part of an album project in 2024, and they are in need of studio time and spaces to develop and rehearse their ideas. The project will allow the young people to capitalise on the momentum they gained during the project. They will have access to spaces in which they can begin to develop their own cultures utilising the new relationships they have formed. It will also provide a much needed opportunity to support their mental health as many of our participants report wellbeing challenges when they have limited access to music or social opportunity.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Sugar Stealers
The Sugar Stealers are a team of 4 unique and creative women with combined experience in arts, entertainment, mental health support and community projects. The organisation was started in 2019 with the purpose of breaking down barriers that affect deprived communities in order to encourage healing and social progression. They have since built a safe space where all women and gender nonconforming people come to explore positive wellbeing and creative practice. They offer a variety of creative workshops in areas of visual arts, music, dance and wellness. These workshops are usually delivered bi-monthly and result in some form of participant led exhibition or showcase that allows the experiences and voices of their communities to be seen and heard across the city and beyond.
PROJECT
In Summer 2024, Sugar Stealers partnered with Hoam Studios to create a space where women and gender expansive people could learn and progress in music technologies such as engineering, production and DJing, in a safe and cost effective environment. This project was designed in response to the Misogyny in Music Report that revealed the extent in which the music landscape and more specifically, participation in music tech, are made unsafe and exclusive of non-male contributors from the grassroots up. They believe music should be for everyone, not just those who can afford it. Support from Pirate will allow them to offer additional life-changing studio access and development opportunities to those who need them most. It’s not just about teaching music; it’s about creating opportunity, building community, and changing the face of an industry to be more inclusive.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Think Outside the Blox
Think Outside The Blox is a campaign of unity, positivity and education to help inspire the young people of London to see beyond the danger and destructiveness of gangs and knife crime and realise a better future for themselves. Their ethos is based on community engagement and uniting diverse groups, as well as battling peer pressure and tackling gang influences. They engage with those already involved in gangs, those on the brink of gang life and those who might not be aware of the associated risks of gangs, through training, fitness, and playing football, while also offering educational workshops, sporting opportunities, mentoring and access-to-work routes.
PROJECT
Think Outside The Blox have over 50 young people registered with their organisation who have a passion and interest in making music and see it as a career path. They have tried to help as many of them as possible with studio time but this comes at a cost and many end up missing out on this opportunity just because of financial constraints. They know of the dangers and allure of street activities which many may turn to in order to fund their sessions so we feel this funding would act as a deterrent whilst giving the young people the opportunity they seek. As part of the project they will create an album which the young people can then perform at an event at a later stage.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: GirlGrindUK
GGUK urgently addresses systemic inequities around race, gender, regionality, and ableism. They focus on amplifying marginalized voices and creating opportunities for Global Majority women, girls, and non-binary individuals in the music industry. Since 2020, GGUK has delivered 15 projects, been nominated for nation awards 6 times bringing home 4 for outstanding work and garner a community of 300+ beneficiaries who make up their participants and alumni. Their beneficiaries often face multiple barriers, including deprivation, homelessness, and experiences of domestic violence.
PROJECT
With the space provided by Pirate, GGUK will put on a series of ‘Baddie Bootcamps’ and ‘Boosters’. These are a series of workshop-based projects that focus primarily on delivering teaching and mentoring in hard skills in the music industry. This is a bold response to the alarming underrepresentation of women in offstage music and live event roles. These workshops will provide a safe, enriched environment for young women aged 18-30, to learn hard skills in live sound engineering, studio sound engineering, and live event management & coordination. Following the completion of these workshops, participants will be given access to information packs, mentoring and workplace development opportunities.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Big Team CIC
Big Team actively works to diversify the people who create and contribute to festivals. They support 18-30 year olds from groups that are currently under-represented to forge their paths in the industry and work with employer organisations to develop more inclusive festival environments, with a view to contribute towards long-term meaningful change in the live event sector. Big Team’s goal is to open up opportunities for young people who have traditionally been excluded from the festival industry, they do this via four main strands of work: Careers - professional, placements and training opportunities. Outreach - engaging and informing young people about industry career options. Network - creating opportunities to connect and encouraging collaboration between peers. Artists - support and development projects.
PROJECT
Big Team and Bristol Beacon have joined forces once again in search of the city’s best-emerging talent. Next Level has been specially designed for rappers, singers, or MC's, aged 18-30 who are making original music. During the project, participants will engage with a music writing and producing week supported by industry mentors such as Sam Interface, N.Y.T.A, Grove, Dread MC, Ngaio, and Javeon. A showcase performance at Bristol Beacon, radio show features, industry workshops hosted by creatives in the game, local venues and festival performance opportunities, and a chance to connect and grow in the Next Level community. This project has been specially designed to help springboard grassroot artists’ careers and place them into professional situations that will build confidence and develop their future performance skills. Pirate is integral for rehearsal and preparation for the showcase and venue performances for their new cohort and Alumni or artists.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Feedback Community Projects CIC
Feedback Community support the most at risk young people in their community to thrive through their creative endeavours, facilitating growth through their projects. They regularly offer recording sessions, production and DJ classes for young music makers to improve their craft for absolutely free, 5 days a week.
PROJECT
Feedback Community will offer an ongoing music mentorship programme, culminating in live performance opportunities for young artists of any level and skill set - for DJs, Producers or Singer/Songwriter/Instrumentalists. Their priority is and always will be wellbeing and for participants to show improvements in their artistry.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Coram's Field CIC
The Youth Centre at Coram’s Fields is a safe space for young people aged 8–19, to experience achievement, leadership, enjoyment, friendship, and recognition. Young people progress into adulthood equipped to manage the challenges ahead of them; they have meaningful relationships with their community and have broader horizons. Support from the Youth Programme provides young people with an increased self-awareness of their behaviour, thoughts and feelings and impact on others. It provides diversion from gang activity and culture and a better social support network for young people who become more able to take up opportunities
PROJECT
Coram’s Fields Youth Centre has a consistent attendance of young people that have expressed the interest in a media project, where they can produce their own podcast. The young people would be involved in building and developing the project and curating each episode of the podcast. This would give the young people the opportunity to produce multi-media content with their own agency. The outcome would be to produce episodes that young people can share amongst their social networks.
Charity
Introducing: Positive Youth Foundation
The Positive Youth Foundation is dedicated to raising the aspirations and life chances of young people aged 8-25 in Coventry, particularly those facing challenging circumstances. Their mission is to provide inclusive, high-quality opportunities that empower young people to overcome adversity, develop their potential, and achieve positive outcomes in their lives. Their Changing Trax programme has proven to be a powerful tool for youth engagement, helping young people build confidence, develop technical and professional skills, and access meaningful opportunities in the music industry. Through their creative and youth-led approach, they continue to empower young people, ensuring they have the tools, opportunities, and support to thrive, regardless of their background.
PROJECT
Positive Youth Foundation will deliver an engaging and immersive Live Lounge & DJ Open Decks project in Birmingham, providing young artists from Coventry with the professional environment to develop their performance, production, and DJing skills. The Live Lounge project will empower young musicians by offering hands-on experience in beat production, vocal recording, songwriting, and live performance coaching. Guided by industry professionals.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Make It Mentoring
Make It Mentoring offers different ways to learn and get support for young people and adults who might find things a bit tougher due to special educational needs, learning differences, or just needing a hand with their feelings. They empower people through person-centred mentoring, addressing barriers such as fragmented communication among agencies, families, and caregivers.
PROJECT
To help mentees build key skills, Make It Mentoring works with the DNA-V model, focusing on discovery, self-awareness, and decision-making, all driven by personal values. Practical activities, like creating music at Pirate Studios, are a core part of this, giving mentees hands-on experience to strengthen these skills and build resilience.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Yeah Youth
Young Educational Arts Hub (YEAH) is a creative project engaging young people through interactive workshops within urban music genres. Yeah Youth UK provides opportunities for young artists to grow and develop their creative skills. They focus on nurturing music skills, providing exciting opportunities, and sparking creativity through mentoring while informing young people about potential careers in the arts and entertainment industry. Their unique style of delivery has encouraged over 1,500 self-registered young people to participate in their weekly projects.
PROJECT
Yeah Youth is running a 8-week project featuring DJ workshops, rap workshops, music production, and podcasting, where young participants will collaborate to create one EP, host one rap cypher, and produce one podcast focused on London youth culture and the emerging music scene, facilitated by artist mentors. Participants will acquire skills to create independently, establish networks with peers, and understand their role in the next generation of the music scene.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Young Hustlers
Young Hustlers is Nottingham’s only inner-city music and arts festival. Since 2017, they’ve delivered an annual event, bringing high-quality entertainment to the city and showcasing emerging local talent, with 250 free tickets offered each year. Alongside the festival, they run year-round programmes with communities across Nottingham, creating access to the arts for those who might not otherwise have it. The festival spotlights the talents they’ve nurtured throughout the year.
PROJECT
Young Hustlers’ project at Pirate will support their annual Young Hustlers Showcase, taking place at the festival in October 2025. In partnership with a Mansfield school identified as having low arts engagement and local spoken word and music organisation NOTTANOTHER, Young Hustlers will guide students through a series of creative workshops. Participants will have the opportunity to record in a professional studio and collaborate with a producer/engineer to develop finished pieces they can share with friends and family, and perform live at the festival.
Charity
Introducing: Key Changes
Key Changes provides music mentoring programmes in hospitals and community settings for young people experiencing mental health challenges. Their approach combines clinical therapeutic techniques with adapted music industry practices to support creative, technical, and vocational development. Their programmes create pathways into education, training, and employment for individuals often underrepresented in mainstream services. Over 85% of their service users are from low-income, Global Majority backgrounds, with half first engaging while sectioned under the Mental Health Act. They also have a strong track record of delivering tailored support for those facing intersecting barriers, including people from racialised communities, those affected by homelessness, care leavers, refugees, and LGBTQ+ people.
PROJECT
Key Changes’ specially trained musicians and producers will lead engaging sessions in songwriting and music production at Pirate’s studios. Participants will be supported through every stage, from writing lyrics and making beats to producing and recording tracks, across a range of diverse genres.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Conscious Youth
Conscious Youth is an award-winning youth-led social enterprise based in Kirklees, Yorkshire. Formed in 2016, they aim to inspire and empower young people aged 12 to 24 from the most marginalised and disadvantaged communities, where opportunity and investment are often lacking. Their projects include Stepping Up and Stepping Out (a resilience-building programme in schools), Conscious Girls, Conscious Boys, targeted youth support, open access youth clubs, the Breaking Barriers leadership programme, trauma-informed therapy, social action, and educational workshops. Since 2022, they have developed a creative arts programme resulting in the launch of HD Sounds, a youth-led music production house and the first of its kind in the region.
PROJECT
Elevation Music is a grassroots talent development programme for aspiring artists, producers, and musicians aged 16 to 24 from marginalised communities and those at risk of gang involvement. Its core aim is to equip young creatives with the skills, confidence, and industry insight needed to thrive in the music and creative industries. Through immersive, collaborative, and practical learning experiences, participants progress from raw talent to releasing a high-quality EP and performing live at a professionally curated showcase. Conscious Youth will use the funding to deliver masterclasses, mentorship, recording and music production sessions, and give participants access to professional studio environments.
Alternative Provision School
Introducing: Arbour Academy
Arbour Academy offers a broad, balanced, and engaging curriculum in a small, nurturing environment for young people unable to access mainstream school due to anxiety and mental health needs. The academy focuses on helping students re-engage with education, develop social skills, and build strategies to support their wellbeing. Music is a key part of their vision to create an inclusive and empowering learning experience.
PROJECT
Arbour Academy is launching a music project to provide learners with a creative and therapeutic outlet in a safe, supportive setting. Using Pirate’s studios, students will access professional equipment and space to explore sound, record vocals and instruments, and express themselves through music. The project will focus on building confidence, emotional regulation, and self-expression, while introducing basic music production skills. As Arbour Academy currently lacks the facilities to deliver this on site, support from Studios for All will open up an entirely new educational avenue.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: G.R.S.S. CIC
Grass Roots Sports Star was established to provide young, disadvantaged people in Birmingham with access to sports facilities and activities. By opening up these opportunities, the organisation aims to inspire positive engagement, build confidence, and strengthen community connections through the power of sport.
PROJECT
Supported by a team of ex-professional sports players and qualified mentors, G.R.S.S. will work with a cohort of around 15 young people to create a podcast documenting their journeys in grassroots football. The podcast will showcase their experiences, challenges, and achievements, aiming to inspire, support, and encourage them as they progress.
Student Society
Introducing: University of Birmingham DJ Society (Guild of Students)
The University of Birmingham DJ Society is a vibrant and inclusive community for students passionate about DJing, electronic music, and live performance. The society provides a supportive space for members of all abilities, from complete beginners to experienced DJs, to develop technical skills, expand their music knowledge, and grow confidence as performers.
PROJECT
The society plans to use Pirate’s studio space to deliver dedicated DJ lessons for women and the LGBTQIA+ community, create extended one-off sessions and talks for occasions such as Black History Month and International Women’s Day, and host panel discussions and speaker sessions covering topics such as radio, MCing, event production, careers in record labels, and music production.
Community Organisation
Introducing: The Outside Project
The Outside Project is an LGBTIQ+ Community Shelter, Centre, and Domestic Abuse Refuge, supporting those who are homeless, hidden homeless, or excluded from services due to prejudice.
PROJECT
They will deliver free and facilitated studio space specifically for trans+ homeless young people and adults in the lead-up to and during Trans+ Pride London. This project provides a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment to explore music, performance, and creative expression.
Non-Profit Organisation
Introducing: Girls I Rate
Girls I Rate, founded by Carla Marie Williams, MBE, creates opportunities for young women aged 16–35 through mentorship programmes and safe creative spaces. Their community, the GIR Army, engages over 5,000 young creatives.
PROJECT
Girls I Rate seeks studio space for young women and GIR Army members to record and rehearse, particularly for their Future Hitmaker Competition winners. In partnership with Pirate Studios, the initiative empowers emerging female talent, provides mentorship, and tackles inequality in the music industry.
Academy / Music Development
Introducing: LIMF Academy (Culture Liverpool / Liverpool City Council)
The LIMF Academy improves the creative and professional practice and impactful career opportunities for emerging music creators aged 16–25 from across the Liverpool City Region.
PROJECT
LIMF Academy will offer free rehearsal time to emerging music creators to develop their performance skills. Additionally they will produce the LIMF Academy Sound Sessions showcasing emerging DJs and MCs in Dance and Black music genres.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: The Cause Bristol CIC
The Cause Bristol creates a collaborative hub to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities through creative projects. Their work includes youth sessions, workshops, mentoring, life skills, and community events.
PROJECT
They will access studio space to develop skills in music production, DJing, and performance, with a focus on underrepresented communities. The studio enables mentorship programs, masterclasses, collaborative sessions for emerging artists, and a focus on underrepresented females.
Not-for-Profit
Introducing: Future Fwd
Future Fwd creates opportunities for young people to develop skills and make informed career decisions. They deliver workshops, masterclasses, and projects that connect young people with community and employer networks.
PROJECT
Art of Rap: a collaboration with Great Mines is a 5 week project that teaches aspects of hip hop/rap music, lyric writing, flow, production, performance and recording techniques. Participants gain confidence, develop collaboration and networking skills and learn techniques to support their careers and personal growth.
Charity
Introducing: Multitracks
Multitrack creates opportunities for people underrepresented in the audio industry due to race, class, or disability. They run fellowship programmes offering paid placements at leading UK audio production companies, alongside weekly training to develop production skills. Their mentoring programme supports Fellowship Alumni to continue creating, aiming to foster lasting change across the audio industry.
PROJECT
Multitrack ensures fellows can continue developing their audio production and creative skills beyond the main programme. They provide access to Pirate Studios for creative exploration, collaboration, and community building, enabling fellows to grow their practice and maintain a supportive network.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Prez & Friends CIC
Prez & Friends is an East London-based creative platform building an artist-led ecosystem for live music and emerging talent. They support Black and global majority artists with live events, artist development workshops, digital media content, and strategic partnerships, promoting ownership, creativity, and sustainable careers in music.
PROJECT
Pirate & Friends: Create, Record, Perform is an 8 week artist development programme launching in November 2025. This programme selects four artists from demo creation to a professionally mixed and mastered track, culminating in a live showcase. Participants receive structured studio access, collaborative songwriting, and performance coaching.
Charity
Introducing: Carousel
Carousel supports learning-disabled artists to explore, develop, and create. They provide training, production, and leadership opportunities, enabling artists often overlooked by mainstream arts to develop and showcase their creative skills.
PROJECT
Carousel is creating a new band of young learning-disabled artists to perform at live events in Brighton. Workshops in local SEN schools will engage young learning disabled artists, co-led by experienced learning-disabled musicians. Participants develop skills, confidence, and a shared creative identity, culminating in a debut performance at The Rock House alongside other inclusive bands.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Orii Community CIC
Orii Community empowers underrepresented creatives by providing safe, accessible spaces for POC and LGBTQ+ artists to develop, collaborate, and receive mentorship. They support musicians, producers, designers, and creatives across nu-jazz, neo-soul, hip-hop, R&B, and genre-expansive projects, fostering growth, expression, and wellbeing.
PROJECT
In 2025, Orii will deliver free workshops in partnership with local youth groups for musicians aged 18–25, focusing on POC and LGBTQ+ individuals from low-income backgrounds. Workshops include panel talks, dual lessons for beginners and intermediates, Q&A sessions, and showcase events, providing education, mentorship, and paid opportunities for existing creatives to teach and develop their profiles.
Community Interest Company
Introducing: Everyone’s A Singer CIC
Everyone’s A Singer (EAS) uses singing, songwriting, artist development, and sync licensing to support underrepresented creatives and wellbeing, partnering with universities, NHS Trusts, councils, and corporate teams.
PROJECT
The EAS Sync Sessions & Creative Pathways Pilot delivers a 10-person sync writing programme for women and non-binary artists (18–30). Participants write and record original tracks, attend development sessions, and train grassroots facilitators.
Social Enterprise
Introducing: Wipers Youth CIC
Wipers Youth is a social enterprise supporting disenfranchised and marginalised young people. They provide specialist mentoring, workshops, employability support, and youth voice initiatives, with expertise in assisting young people with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and low literacy and numeracy.
PROJECT
Wipers Youth will deliver an artist development workshop series covering mic technique, vocal warm-ups, and songwriting. Using Pirate Studios, participants can develop their skills, explore the space, and record ideas in a professional environment.
