Growing number of grassroots youth music projects face closure

A growing number of grassroots music projects for young people are at risk of closure, according to research from Youth Music.

A survey conducted by the charity found more than two in five (41%) youth music projects are facing closure. This compares with one in four (24%) projects that were at risk when similar research was carried out last year.

Youth Music also found more than half (54%) its funded partners have a waiting list of young people who want to take part in projects but can’t due to a lack of funds, up four percentage points on its previous research.

The charity, which funds organisations in England, Scotland and Wales to run projects aiming to equalise access to music, says it can support fewer than one in five (18%) of the applications it receives. This is leaving more than 260,000 young people without access to music-making, creative development and potential pathways into the music industry.

It predicts that, if the trend of funding cuts and cost-of-living increases continues, young people across eight UK regions will lose access to grassroots youth music projects within 10 years.

Youth Music CEO Matt Griffiths says the situation “is at breaking point”.

“The lack of funding available is at critically low levels and the threat of closure for many is more imminent than ever,” he said.

“We cannot overstate what the closure of these incredible community projects means to not only the young people that they support, but also to the UK economy as a whole.”

“In a turbulent time across the UK, music as a vehicle for social change is needed more than ever.”

Rescue the Roots campaign

Youth Music has announced a fundraising campaign to address the crisis threatening grassroots music projects for young people.

The Rescue the Roots campaign is encouraging individuals and organisations to donate or raise funds for the cause. 

Youth Music says it will match every pound raised up to £1m, meaning up to £2m could be distributed to projects in urgent need of support via the campaign, which the charity believes could support more than 18,000 young people this year.

“The campaign aims to bring the whole industry together to address this issue head-on,” Griffiths added.

“From fundraising and co-investment to encouraging social entrepreneurship and developing workforce opportunities through our Industry Connect coalition, we’re implementing concrete steps to save grassroots youth music.”

Youth Music’s latest research follows a report it published last year which found that the number of young people considering themselves as “musical” is falling, coinciding with a drop in music provision in schools.