Big Give Arts for Impact – donations DOUBLED 17-24 March!

From noon on 17^th to 24^th March, any support you give via the Big Give will be DOUBLED! We’re raising funds for our work with young people over the next year as part of the Arts for Impact campaign. The first £4,500 raised will be match funded by the Big Give.

Make your donations go twice as far here.

Making music changes young people’s lives

We’ve honed Making Tracks since 2012, supporting young people experiencing challenging circumstances in the community to find their next steps through music making. We’ve created linked progression projects and grown to offer support in Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Bristol and London.

“Incredible and life changing. Never before have I excelled so much or been so supported. Thank you for making me have hope in myself and life again,” Making Tracks participant

Situation

For some young people in the UK the future can feel bleak, faced with gloomy headlines about record numbers out of work or education, struggling to find their places in the world. At a time when the arts are increasingly sidelined in mainstream education, many who have great creative potential will not have opportunities to explore the possibilities. These young people need support to rekindle their self-confidence and motivation, guidance to make their voices heard and to expand their horizons.

“The course taught me not to hold things in, but to let out what you think is good. It changed me a lot. I opened up a bit more about myself. I’m a domestic abuse survivor and it was helpful to open up about my mental health through writing music,”  Making Tracks participant

Solution

We give long-term support to young people who need it: On Making Tracks expert music facilitators help them write, record and perform original music collaboratively as part of a band; they gain confidence, transferable skills and have the chance to earn a recognised accreditation. We offer a year’s follow-on support to other creative opportunities, employment, training, education, volunteering and referrals to our own progression projects Young Producers and Young Workshop Leader Training.

“I feel momentum in my life and like I am valued, which is something I haven’t felt for a while. I’ve also learnt that overcoming my doubt and hesitation can be done in small ways slowly, and those little wins can build self-confidence,” Young Producer feedback

Impact

Over the next year we hope to reach around 100 young people experiencing challenging circumstances in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Manchester, Bristol and London. Through ‘Making Tracks’ we will use collaborative music-making to inspire them to widen their horizons and realise their true potential; bespoke follow-on support will give them individual guidance to take the next steps.

In 2024-25 with our support, after Making Tracks 78% of the young people moved on to education, employment or training.

“I became more confident in myself, my voice and my ability,” Making Tracks participant

DOUBLE your donation via the Big Give Arts For Impact, 17-24 March 2026 HERE.