Grounded Sounds, the South London-based music organisation and charity, is launching a crowdfund to help run its music programmes for young people in South London.
Music charity Grounded Sounds today announces the launch of its crowdfund to help keep multiple programmes for musical young people in South London going.
Every year, Grounded Sounds supports over 150 young people across South London with free music workshops, mentoring and career pathways into the music industry. But with recent funding cuts across the arts, our charity is now at risk of closure.
Without urgent support, young people who rely on this space to learn, to create and to feel heard, could lose access to these vital opportunities.
The charity recently appointed Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Shaybo as patrons of the organisation, and both are huge supporters of their work. The Black Fund, run by Leigh-Anne Pinnock, recently sponsored Grounded Sounds to run The Bridge programme, a summer holiday music project delivering songwriting, music production and live performance opportunities to 15-17 year olds. The programme, which runs four days per week, also provides hot food and holistic, wellbeing support to its participants.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock
“Supporting a charity like Grounded Sounds—who use it to help young people learn, express themselves, and grow—is deeply meaningful to me. This is exactly the kind of work we set out to support when we founded The Black Fund. I’m honoured to be a patron and truly inspired by all that they do. We look forward to continuing this important journey together.”
Shaybo
“I’m super excited to be a patron for Grounded Sounds. I enjoy the work we have done so far and I am looking forward to building a long term relationship.”
But the funding landscape for the arts is increasingly dire, with sustained cuts leaving many organisations—especially those focused on education and community access—struggling to survive. Working-class talent remains hugely underrepresented in the creative industries and 93% of schoolchildren are excluded from arts due to lack of funding (Child of the North and Centre for Young Lives).
Grounded Sounds uniquely works at the intersection of music education and music industry and its network offers young people, who may not otherwise have access, the opportunity to be heard, celebrated and supported in their musical and creative endeavours by professionals at the top of their game. The organisation offers a distinct pathway through interconnected programmes which enable a young person to join at 15 years old and continue through projects until they’re 26. In fact, many have even gone on to work for Grounded Sounds once they become alumni.
Jess Loveless, Creative Director reports:
“Crucially, our programmes don’t just deliver great musical experiences, they build community and support mental health and wellbeing. Results from a 2024-25, independent study of our Spotlight programme, conducted by DPhil candidate Brianna Applewhite, indicated that participation in our 8-week programme led to ‘notable reductions in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms’.”
Support
As a registered charity, Grounded Sounds relies on funding and donations in order to run each of its programmes. Taking matters into their own hands, this summer Grounded Sounds is reaching out to the public to help reach a target of £25,000. If you’d like to donate, you can find out more and make a donation here:
Link to crowdfunder page
here.
