The Mears Foundation supports White Hut Studios to deliver innovative, community-based music programmes that aim to improve social mobility.
By empowering young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through creativity, mentoring and skills development, White Hut Studios bring professional music production directly to young people who face significant barriers to accessing creative opportunities.
The Mears Foundation has funded a series of structured six-week programmes in songwriting, music production and performance, allowing young people to access professional recording equipment whilst supporting them to develop creative, social and personal development skills.
The funding also supported a peer mentor model, which saw four former participants become trained mentors and gain accredited qualifications.
Paula Fielder, Customer Liaison Officer for Mears, said:
“White Hut Studios are a like-minded organisation who bring creative opportunities to children and young people who may not have otherwise had access to them, improving confidence, wellbeing, communication and aspirations.
“The Mears Foundation supported them to make a positive and lasting difference within the communities in which we operate, investing in professional creative equipment to ensure participants could access industry-standard technology regardless of their background.”
Karen Miles, Programme Manager at White Hut Studios, added:
"The mobile studio brings professional music production directly into schools and community settings, removing many of the barriers that prevent young people from accessing creative opportunities.
“Watching a young person hear their own finished song for the first time is a powerful moment. It's a moment where they know they can achieve something they never thought possible.
“Thanks to the support of Mears Foundation, many more young people have been able to experience that moment."
This is just one of the many inspiring projects delivered with the support of a grant from the Mears Foundation, the charitable arm of Mears Group which funds projects across the UK that play a vital role in building stronger communities and giving people access to new opportunities.
For more information about the Mears Foundation, visit: themearsfoundation.org.uk
