We are sad to inform you that, after careful consideration, the Trustees of Grounded Sounds have made the difficult decision to wind down Grounded Sounds operations.

From January 2026 onwards, the charity's sole focus will be the administration of Hatty's Fund. https://www.hattysfund.org/ 

We are very proud of what we have achieved. 

Since 2015, Grounded Sounds has seen well over 1,000 young people participate in our programmes. We have had fantastic feedback on the enjoyment and impact that we have provided, both for school-age children and for those wanting to pursue a career in music after school. We have built confidence, inspired collaborations, helped to break down barriers and enabled young people to pursue their dreams. Indeed, amongst other things, we have seen our alumni winning awards, releasing music, starting their own charities, and touring internationally.

We intend to find other charities and organisations to take on our programmes and carry on the good work if we possibly can, and we will add the information here when we have it.

If you are a young person looking for creative opportunities or support in general, we hope that the links below may be useful for you.

Lambeth

  • Raw Material Music & Media — community music + recording studios, workshops, DJ/production and performance programmes. https://rawmusicmedia.org/ 

  • Lambeth Music Service - pages list further local ensembles and school programmes) - https://www.lambethmusic.co.uk/ 

  • Groove School - advances education and promotes social inclusion through accessible, creative learning in music, DJing, podcasting and digital arts. We empower people of all ages and abilities—especially those facing disadvantage—to build skills, confidence and wellbeing. https://grooveschool.org/about-us-2/ 

  • Tomorrows Warriors – aim to find, develop, champion and provide a platform for a community of artists, audiences and music leaders. We strive together to transform the careers of future generations by increasing opportunity, diversity and artistic excellence in and through jazz.  https://tomorrowswarriors.org/about/our-mission/ 

  • Finding Rhythms - We deliver collaborative music-making courses for those at risk of offending, in a range of custodial and community settings. https://www.finding-rhythms.co.uk/about 

Southwark

Lewisham

Croydon

  • Music Relief Foundation (MRF) — youth charity delivering music, mentoring and wellbeing programmes for young people in Croydon / South London. Music Relief Foundation (MRF) 

  • Play for Progress — Croydon-based arts charity using creative engagement (including music) to support young asylum seekers and vulnerable young people. Play for Progress 

  • Croydon Music and Arts (CMA) - https://www.croydonmusicandarts.co.uk/ 

Wandsworth

Merton

Sutton

  • Sutton Music Trust — borough music charity aiming to make music accessible to every young person in Sutton; lessons, ensembles and outreach. Home - Sutton Music Trust

Bromley / Bexley (Outer South London)

  • Bromley Youth Music Trust (BYMT) — established independent music service offering instrumental & vocal education and ensembles for young people. bymt.co.uk 

  • ArtsTrain (also works in Bromley) — creative music delivery and training. Making Music Happen For Young People

Greenwich & surrounding SE London

London/National

  • Music Centre London - provision of musical tuition to children and young persons of or under the age of twenty-one across Islington and Southwark https://musiccentrelondon.com/ 

  • Sound Connections - ensuring that all children and young people can experience music and creative opportunities that are relevant to them and responsive to their needs in a changing world. https://www.sound-connections.org.uk/ 

  • Kinetika Bloco - is a youth music charity with an exuberant mix of young brass and woodwind players, drummers, steel pan and dancers. Our mission is to get young people from South London engaged in long-term creative activity advancing their education, skills and capacity. https://kinetikabloco.co.uk/ 

  • Multi-Story Orchestra - brings together professional musicians and young people to create powerful new orchestral works that tell real stories and challenge systemic inequity.  We have evolved from performing classical repertoire to writing all of our own music, with young people aged 14-18 leading the creation of new music about issues that matter to them. https://multi-story.org.uk/about-us 

Other support:

Help Musicians - https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/ 

Southside Young Leaders Academy (SYLA) is an education charity that supports boys aged 8-18 with African and Caribbean heritage to build character, improve academic achievement, and develop the leadership and life skills required to pursue their aspirations and become the next generation of leaders. https://www.syla.org.uk/about-syla/ 

Young Futures – help for young people in or leaving care: https://www.youngfutures.org.uk/

XLP - empower young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete their education, avoid anti-social behaviour and ultimately become independent and confident contributors within their communities. https://www.xlp.org.uk/about-us.html

We Rise - We Rise is an award winning Brixton based community business with a mission to empower young people to create successful futures. https://www.werise.org.uk/about-us/ 

Spiral – Education and employment pathways, programmes and events https://www.spiralskills.co.uk/