We’ve raised £1 million for grassroots music. But it's not enough.

We did it.

Through our Rescue the Roots campaign, we've raised £1 million. We’re matching that total ourselves, meaning £2 million is now heading to the grassroots music projects that make a real difference to young people's lives across the UK.

Thanks to our supporters

Rescue the Roots has brought people together across the music industry and beyond. Major names like Spotify, Apple, Sony Music, Beatport, PPL and Wingstop all got behind the campaign. Artists including Sam Fender, Jorja Smith, Bicep and Bastille lent their voices and their platforms. Fans, fundraisers and supporters across the country threw their support behind the campaign too.

There is a widespread recognition of how crucial grassroots music is, and how the future of UK music depends on it.

What does the £2 million do?

It reaches the projects delivering real, on-the-ground change. Projects like Drumworks, who use drumming to build confidence and community, and whose young people tell them how their sessions help them relieve stress.

They also tell us that they have made new friends and mixed with people that they wouldn't have done otherwise including across year-groups, which helps with confidence and the ability to talk to and relate to other people.

Drumworks

85% of the music providers we fund report a significant positive impact on their young people's mental health, confidence and life opportunities.

young girls standing in rows singing and looking off camera

Music is not just a ‘nice to have’, it is a lifeline for young people

Carol Reid

Youth Music, Interim Co-CEO

But there is much more we need to do

Even with this extra £2 million, the gap between funding and demand remains huge.

New data from the organisations we fund paints a stark picture of what grassroots youth music is facing right now:

37% of projects have considered closing due to financial pressure
Over two-thirds (67%) can’t meet demand from young people
More than 33,500 young people are currently on waiting lists
Nearly 40% expect their finances to worsen in the next year

We’ve seen incredible support through Rescue the Roots, and reaching £1 million is a significant milestone. But demand is still overwhelming supply, and thousands of young people are missing out on vital support every single day.

Carol Reid

Youth Music, Interim Co-CEO

Support Us

There is significant money in the music industry. But too little of it reaches the grassroots spaces where young people find community, creativity and support.

We're calling on industry leaders, funders and policymakers to join the next phase of this campaign. Rescue the Roots isn’t finished, we’re just getting started

Thousands of young people are still waiting. The projects that serve them need to know that we have their back, not just for one year, but for the long term.

Donate to Rescue The Roots

Jordan Stephens sitting in a tattoo parlour looking at the camera

Rescue The Roots

Without immediate action, we risk losing the next generation of emerging creatives who rely on community music projects and youth spaces. We need to take a stand now, and Rescue the Roots.

sam fender holds a microphone stand and looks to the left

news

Sam Fender Tour Raises £50,000 for Youth Music

Sam Fender has raised £50,000 from 'People Watching Tour' ticket donations, to be match funded through our Rescue the Roots campaign.

Youth Music and Levi's panel event. 4 young people sat in a semi circle around a Youth Music sign, plants in background, with a shelf of magazines behind.

Partner Programme

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