Grassroots orgs across The Midlands and North join CULTIVATE Year 2
Sound Connections is delighted to announce the six grassroots music organisations selected for Year 2 of CULTIVATE, a programme supporting grassroots organisations that create opportunities for young people to develop through music.
Following the success of the inaugural CULTIVATE cohort, Year 2 will focus on organisations across the Midlands and North of England, responding to the need for greater regional support, industry connections and progression opportunities for grassroots organisations and young people outside London.
The six organisations selected for the 2026/27 programme are:
Brink Productions – Manchester
With more than 23 years’ experience, Brink Productions delivers music-based projects for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, supporting them to build creative skills, confidence and pathways into the creative industries. Their Terminology Project offers opportunities in DJing, music production, songwriting, sound recording and performance, alongside youth leadership and peer mentoring.
Brink Productions Terminology Project is built on the belief that language, lyrics, and expression hold power. The project’s name reflects how words young people choose, hear, and internalise shape their identities. Terminology creates accessible, engaging spaces where young people define their own narratives. It is about reclaiming language, challenging negative stereotypes, and creating culture rather than just consuming it, transforming diverse voices into creative outputs that inspire pride, healing, and change.”
Brink Productions - Manchester
Communities Unite – Nottingham
Communities Unite uses sport, arts and education to empower disadvantaged young people. Its growing creative programme includes DJ workshops for young people and wider music opportunities that combine practical skills and creative expression, helping participants develop confidence, teamwork and future aspirations.
Gateshead Music Trust – Gateshead
Working in partnership with Gateshead Music Hub, Gateshead Music Trust is committed to making music-making more inclusive and representative of young people’s voices. Through their Reverberate Youth Advisory Board, young people shape the local music offer, influence decision-making and advocate for change, while developing leadership, confidence and agency.
Overgrown Audio – East & West Midlands
Overgrown Audio supports emerging music artists to build sustainable independent careers, with a particular focus on those facing barriers to progression. Their six-month artist development programme connects young artists with experienced music professionals, providing industry-focused development and support at a time when demand already exceeds available capacity.
Scrapyard Studios CIC – Merseyside
Established in 2018, Scrapyard Studios uses music to support mental health and wellbeing, build skills and confidence, and create pathways into creative careers. Their youth programmes include guitar, songwriting, music technology, band development and opportunities for girls to develop skills in sound engineering, music management and gig photography.
We're Scrapyard Studios, based in Bootle, just North of Liverpool. It's super exciting that Scrapyard Studios has been chosen to be part of the Cultivate Programme at Sound Connections. We're looking forward to building our skills as we serve the young people in our community through this opportunity.
Scrapyard Studios CIC - Merseyside
We Make Culture – Sunderland
We Make Culture is a music charity that helps children and young people build confidence, skills and opportunities through music. Through free year-round creative programmes, young people write, record and perform original music while developing a sense of belonging, building connections with the wider grassroots sector, and exploring their potential.
About the programme:
Through CULTIVATE, each organisation will receive a £3,000 micro-grant alongside tailored organisational support, access to industry expertise and opportunities to build connections with a national network of music organisations and professionals. The programme will support organisations to strengthen their work and create meaningful opportunities for the young people they support.
The cohort will also connect with Sound Connections’ WIRED UP programme, giving young people opportunities to develop their skills, build industry networks and perform at showcases and events across the country.
The new cohort joins a growing CULTIVATE network, building on the work of the first six participating organisations: CC Foundation, Girl Grind UK, Silk Futures, In The Making, Pattern+Push and NxGen Music Group. Together, the two cohorts represent our commitment to strengthening grassroots music provision and ensuring young people across the country can access opportunities to develop, connect and progress through music.
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