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.

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.

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.

YUAF connects disadvantaged young people aged 11-19 with empowering opportunities to learn, grow, be heard, seen, and celebrated through music production, rap, spoken word, lyric/songwriting, DJing, and podcasting. Their strength lies in building trusting relationships and creating a supportive community for young people to flourish. When ready, they assist young people in accessing training, work experience, and employment through their industry and educational partners via 'YUAF' (intensive group upskilling and industry experience for Global Majority, LGBTQ+, disabled, and low-income 16-19s); 'Pathways' (individualised aftercare support for vulnerable young people to overcome barriers, develop confidence, and access opportunities); and YUAF 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.

Make Your Mark runs a development and educational platform called GRD Floor. The goal is to improve access and education for up-and-coming artists and others wanting to work in music production, culminating in a live show at the end of each cohort. GRD Floor provides classes in areas such as songwriting and production, and for production teams, offers workshops like CV writing and interview preparation.

PROJECT
As part of their project, Make Your Mark wants participants to create at least one exclusive song for each event. They will use Pirate Studios to provide access to professional equipment in Pirate’s recording studios and rehearsal spaces, helping create the highest quality sound product in a creative-focused environment. The impact GRD Floor aims to achieve is both upskilling and showcasing new talent to the industry.

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.

Growth and Greatness (Grind and Ghost) have built a community with young people through music, whilst teaching them life skills. They want to bring positive energy and development to young people. They host events to educate and inspire young people to work together through music. 

“When I was growing up I didn't have opportunities like this and a lot of people I grew up with are not here any more or in jail. This happened to me, it gives me the drive to make sure I am the best that I can be and I want to ensure that no young person in my community goes to jail or dies from street violence. I’m a young person that has done well for himself and I want to be a role model to other young people through the power of music”. Ayo Peters, Founder

PROJECT

The core focus of this project is to support participants' growth and development, with every aspect tailored to their needs. The aim is to provide them with dedicated services that enhance their careers and build their confidence. They’ll be there every step of the way to guide them through the intricacies of the music industry, ensuring they gain a comprehensive understanding of the process while enjoying the journey. Their approach is distinct, offering an environment unlike any conventional setting, where their potential is nurtured, and their talents are fully realized.

Founded in 2016, alongside a group of young people exploring social change through creativity, the RISE Collective stands as a passionate, grassroots youth-centric force dedicated to nurturing the personal, creative and professional growth of marginalised young people under 25 and is committed to challenging their under-representation in the influential spaces of our society. They are supporting young people towards three core goals; self-empowerment, amplified voices and social change.

PROJECT

The project at Pirate will provide professional studio access for young marginalised creatives across England—particularly in Bristol, London, Brighton, and Manchester— and who are part of the RISE Collective. These young people are already producing inspiring work, including podcasts, radio shows and original music, which represent and amplify the voices and experiences of underrepresented communities. This access will not only elevate the quality of our young people's productions but also boost their confidence, create stronger portfolios and open doors to future opportunities in creative industries.

UTM aim to be a transitional pathway for young adults into the music industry, providing them with the necessary skills, equipment, contacts, and confidence to become professional artists. They recognise that many young adults in our community face limited opportunities and may be at risk of involvement in criminal activity. At UTM Studio, they create a safe and inclusive space that promotes unity and encourages young people to channel their energy and talents into positive pursuits.

PROJECT

UTM would use the funding for a few different projects as they work with young people that struggle with finances, that are displaced and disadvantaged. Studios would be used to facilitate time with professional mentors like engineers, songwriters and vocal coaches. Bands would use the studios for rehearsal sessions and they would deliver DJ classes. This would be an opportunity for the young people to gain confidence and practice skills.

Birmingham Says No is an anti-knife crime and anti-youth violence organisation with a mission to create a safer Birmingham. Their aim is to reduce youth violence and knife crime in Birmingham through targeted prevention, intervention, and community support. They are dedicated to empowering young people, supporting at-risk families, and building safer neighbourhoods by providing education, resources, and a community hub.

PROJECT

The young people will learn and develop skills essential to the production of recording music and shooting music videos, and the process of releasing and marketing their own music. They will help the young people with positive songwriting. They will learn song structures, rhyme schemes, syllable structures and how to craft a song. They will learn the importance of a theme/topic when writing music.