Large grants August 2026- The third grant is awarded to Sanctuary 2027 to bring people seeking sanctuary together through music

The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation is delighted to announce a grant to Sanctuary 2027 to support Sanctuary in the Booth, a new DJ participation project for people seeking sanctuary in Sheffield.

The project will use the power of music to help participants build confidence, learn new skills and create connections within Sheffield’s vibrant music community.

Sanctuary 2027 is a collaboration between Stand and Be Counted Theatre and City of Sanctuary Sheffield, created to mark 20 years since Sheffield became the UK’s first City of Sanctuary. Across 2027, the programme will bring together large-scale events and community-led activity to celebrate and reaffirm Sheffield’s commitment to being a place of safety, welcome and belonging.

Through Sanctuary in the Booth, around 10–15 adults who are refugees, people seeking asylum or other newly arrived migrants will take part in a series of practical DJ workshops between October 2026 and January 2027.

Working with Calabash, participants will learn skills including mixing, music selection, performance and event preparation. Importantly, no previous DJ experience is required.

The project is about much more than learning to DJ. It will create a welcoming space for people who can face significant barriers to accessing creative opportunities, allowing participants to share music from their own cultures, express themselves, meet others and develop a stronger sense of belonging.

Participants will also have the opportunity to perform their DJ sets at a Sanctuary 2027 celebration event in January, giving them a platform to showcase their skills and contribute to Sheffield’s cultural life.

We are particularly excited by the project’s ambition to create opportunities beyond the workshops. Sanctuary 2027 hopes that participants will go on to DJ at other events across Sheffield during 2027, helping them build experience, connections and potential pathways into the city’s creative and music industries.

At The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, we believe in the ability of music to bring people together, build confidence and create opportunities. Supporting projects that use music to make a positive difference in people’s lives is at the heart of what we do — continuing Sarah’s belief in the power of music to connect communities and create joy.

We are proud to support Sanctuary in the Booth and look forward to seeing where these new DJs take their skills next.

Congratulations to everyone involved in Sanctuary 2027, we can’t wait to hear what comes from the booth!

The Foundation’s work is made possible in part through the continued support of Amplify Events and Tramlines Festival, whose commitment to music and the Sheffield community helps us support projects like this.

Large grants August 2026- The second grant is awarded to Street Beats Sheffield run by Urban Beat Academy

Urban Beat Academy CIC has been awarded support from the Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation to deliver Street Beats Sheffield, a new community music project bringing free DJing and music production opportunities directly into communities across Sheffield.

This the Second of two larger grants supported through the South Yorkshire Music Hub and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), helping to create new opportunities for young people to engage with music across the region.

Street Beats Sheffield will deliver four free full-day workshops across Sheffield at MatRec in Manor, Osmis Mentoring Services in Attercliffe, Thorncliffe Sports Bar in High Green and Arundel Lane Studios in the city centre.

Taking place on 23, 24, 29 and 30 September 2026, the project will engage between 60 and 100 young people aged under 25, providing hands-on experience in DJing and music production using professional equipment and experienced tutors.

Every participant completing the programme will have the opportunity to achieve the Arundel Lane Studios Industry Skills Award (ISA) Level 1 in DJing and Music Production, giving young people a recognised achievement and a pathway into further learning, mentoring and creative opportunities.

The project is designed to remove barriers such as cost, travel and confidence by taking high-quality music opportunities directly into local communities.

The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation has supported Urban Beat Academy previously, and this continued partnership will help us reach new communities and give more young people the opportunity to discover their creativity, build confidence and explore pathways into music and the creative industries.

Street Beats Sheffield is built on a simple belief: where a young person lives should never be a barrier to discovering what they can achieve through music.

Large grants August 2026- The first grant is awarded to Barnsley Youth Choir to Expand Music Opportunities for young people across Barnsley

The grant awarded to Barnsley Youth Choir is supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and South Yorkshire Music Hub, as part of wider investment in creating opportunities for young people to engage with music across South Yorkshire. This is the second of two larger grants supported through the programme.

The funding will support the Choir’s new Secondary Schools Partnership Project, running from September 2026 to July 2027.

The project will bring high-quality singing and music workshops directly into secondary schools and special schools across Barnsley. The aim is to work with at least 10 schools, reaching up to 2,000 young people.

Workshops will be delivered free of charge by experienced music leaders, with schools also receiving specially created music resources, including rehearsal tracks, instructional videos and supporting materials. These resources will enable teachers to continue developing music activities with their pupils beyond the initial workshops.

The programme will be inclusive and designed to support young people regardless of their background, previous musical experience or additional needs. By taking opportunities directly into schools, the project will also help reduce the financial and geographical barriers that can prevent young people from accessing music outside their local communities.

Alongside giving young people the opportunity to experience singing and develop their confidence, the project will support teachers with new skills and resources, helping to strengthen music provision within schools for future pupils.

The charity is pleased to support Barnsley Youth Choir through this grant and to contribute to the wider ambition of increasing access to high-quality music opportunities for children and young people across South Yorkshire.

Find out more:
Barnsley Youth Choir CIO
South Yorkshire Music Hub
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA)

Sheffield Youth Orchestra and Endcliffe Orchestra bring festive music-making to Victoria Hall

Sheffield Youth Orchestra (SYO)⁠ is preparing to bring young and adult musicians together for a festive celebration of music at Victoria Hall on Saturday 5 December 2026. 

The SYO and Endcliffe Orchestra⁠ Collaborative Christmas Concert will see musicians from both ensembles perform together in what promises to be a vibrant, family-friendly concert showcasing the breadth of music-making in Sheffield. 

SYO, Sheffield’s longest-running independent youth orchestra, has been developing young musicians since 1964. The orchestra welcomes players aged 9–18 with suitable experience and is committed to providing ambitious musical opportunities alongside developing confidence, teamwork and musicianship. 

The Christmas concert builds on the success of last year’s Frozen Festivities, which came close to selling out two performances at Victoria Hall. The collaboration gives young musicians the opportunity to perform alongside members of Sheffield’s EndcliffeOrchestra, treating players from both ensembles as equal members of a large symphony orchestra. 

This year’s programme has been carefully selected to make the concert accessible, engaging and enjoyable for audiences of all generations, while ensuring that the young musicians are appropriately challenged without being overwhelmed. Some of SYO’s younger members will also take on solo roles, giving them the chance to take ownership of the performance and build confidence on stage. 

The project is about more than the concert itself. By bringing together musicians from different generations and audiences from across Sheffield and beyond, SYO and Endcliffe Orchestra hope to demonstrate the range of musical opportunities available in the region and encourage audiences to explore more live classical music throughout the year. 

With affordable tickets priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children, the concert will retain SYO’s commitment to making music accessible. The family-friendly atmosphere will also welcome younger audience members, with a relaxed approach that allows families with babies and young children to enjoy the performance comfortably. 

The organisations are also hoping to reach families beyond Sheffield, with promotion planned in Rotherham and Doncaster. 

The concert follows SYO’s wider programme of community engagement. In January and April 2026, its Community Days brought together more than 150 community musicians from a diverse range of backgrounds for two free days of music-making. Participants performed music spanning classical, rock, film and theatre repertoire, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to bringing people together through music. 

River Edis-Smith, Music Director of Sheffield Youth Orchestra, said: “The younger musicians really appreciated being treated as equals to Sheffield’s Endcliffe Orchestra last year, and they performed alongside them in every item on the programme. This year we want to build on that experience, giving our young musicians a real sense of ownership while creating a concert that families and audiences of all ages can enjoy together.” 

Rehearsals for Sheffield Youth Orchestra begin in September, with Endcliffe Orchestra rehearsals starting in November ahead of the concert. 

The SYO and Endcliffe Orchestra Collaborative Christmas Concert takes place at Victoria Hall on Saturday 5 December 2026. With music, collaboration and community at its heart, the event promises to be a festive showcase of the next generation of Sheffield musicians alongside the city’s wider musical community. 

Mundella Primary School Awarded Funding for Inclusive School Choir

The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation is delighted to support Mundella Primary School in Sheffield with funding to establish a new whole-school choir, launching in September 2026.

Mundella Primary is a vibrant and inclusive school serving a diverse community. With a strong commitment to removing barriers to participation, the school works hard to ensure every child can access enriching experiences that support their confidence, wellbeing, and sense of belonging.

This new project will provide weekly after-school choir sessions for around 40 pupils across the school year. The initiative will prioritise children who may face barriers to participation, including those eligible for Pupil Premium, pupils with SEND, those from low-income families, and children experiencing challenges with attendance or mental health.

By creating an accessible and welcoming space for music-making, the choir aims to: • Improve pupils’ wellbeing and mental health • Build confidence and self-expression • Strengthen school attendance and engagement • Foster a sense of community and belonging through shared musical experiences

Funding from the Foundation will help cover the cost of running weekly sessions throughout the academic year, ensuring the programme can be delivered consistently and sustainably.

Without this support, the project would only have been able to run on a reduced, fortnightly basis due to budget constraints. This grant ensures that more children can benefit from regular, high-quality musical opportunities.

Impact will be measured through pupil voice and observations before and after the programme, helping the school to understand and celebrate the difference music can make.

We are proud to support Mundella Primary School in using the power of music to create meaningful opportunities for young people in South Yorkshire.

The Leadmill Studio Orchestra Project

We are absolutely thrilled to support The Leadmill Studio Orchestra Project through our latest round of funding! This incredible initiative brings together grassroots youth music, classical arrangement, and legendary live performance. By connecting marginalised young people with professional mentors, the project breaks down barriers to the arts and gives underrepresented voices a massive platform to shine.

The Leadmill Studio Orchestra project is a collaborative music initiative designed to connect young people in South Yorkshire with professional musicians. The project brings together TRACKS—a Sheffield-based charity delivering trauma-informed alternative education for marginalised young people facing significant barriers (such as poverty, school exclusion, unstable housing, and SEND)—with the Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra, led by internationally renowned Musical Director and conductor George Morton. The Sheffield Music School and Sheffield Music Hub Senior Orchestra also join the mix, creating cross-genre and intergenerational musical connections. Through free, structured workshops, young artists from TRACKS collaborate with these professional musicians to translate their original songs into stunning, full-scale orchestral arrangements.

This project primarily supports marginalised young people aged 14 to 25 who face social and economic disadvantages. By combining grassroots youth work with high-level artistic collaboration, it demonstrates how creativity can be a powerful tool for social impact, opening up opportunities and giving those who are too often excluded a platform to thrive. Through this experience, participants develop technical skills in songwriting and recording, build vital life skills like confidence and resilience, and discover genuine pathways into further education or employment within the creative industries through TRACKS: The Label.

All of the hard work, rehearsals, and collaboration culminate in a massive, life-changing moment. On Saturday 25th July, the participants will take to the Tramlines Sarah Nulty Main Stage to perform their original music alongside the live orchestra. This provides a rare, high-profile platform for young people who would otherwise not have access to mainstream cultural spaces.

At the Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, we believe that music has the power to transform lives, build communities, and heal. The Leadmill Studio Orchestra Project perfectly embodies Sarah’s legacy—bringing people together, championing local talent, and making sure everyone, regardless of their background, gets their moment in the spotlight. We cannot wait to see them rock the Main Stage!

Roundabout Receives Power of Music Grant to Support Young People Through Music

The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation is delighted to award a grant to Roundabout, South Yorkshire’s youth homelessness charity, to support the continuation of its inspiring Music Inclusion Project.

Based in Sheffield, Roundabout works with vulnerable young people aged 16–25 who are experiencing, or are at risk of, homelessness. Every day, the charity supports more than 500 young people across Sheffield and Rotherham, providing not only accommodation but also vital wraparound services that help young people build confidence, independence and hope for the future.

The funding will enable Roundabout to deliver three music workshops for young people living in supported housing, reaching up to 24 participants. The sessions will be delivered by Sheffield-based social enterprise RiteTrax and will provide hands-on opportunities to explore music production, songwriting and creative expression in a safe and supportive environment.

For many of the young people supported by Roundabout, opportunities to engage in creative activities can be limited by financial barriers and social disadvantage. The Music Inclusion Project removes those barriers by providing free access to high-quality music experiences that encourage participation, learning and personal development.

Music can be a powerful tool for building confidence, improving wellbeing and creating connections. Through these workshops, young people will have the chance to develop new skills, express themselves creatively and strengthen relationships with their support workers and peers. The sessions will also provide a positive social space where participants can feel safe, valued and included.

This award builds on a successful partnership between the Foundation and Roundabout, following previous grants that supported music activities for young people using the charity’s services. The organisation has demonstrated how creative engagement can help young people overcome challenges, improve wellbeing and remain engaged with the support available to them.

The Music Inclusion Project reflects the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that young people across South Yorkshire can access the transformative benefits of music, regardless of their circumstances. By supporting projects like this, we continue Sarah Nulty’s legacy of using music to bring people together, create opportunities and change lives.

We look forward to hearing from the young people involved and seeing the positive impact these workshops will have as the project begins later this year.

To learn more about Roundabout and its work supporting young people affected by homelessness, visit their website at https://www.roundabouthomeless.org/.

Large Grants June 2026 - First Grant awarded to:

Continuing Our Support for St Luke’s Hospice Ukulele Group

We are delighted to continue supporting the wonderful Ukulele Group at St Luke’s Hospice Sheffield, recognising the significant difference it makes to the wellbeing of people living with terminal illness and those closest to them.

Based at St Luke’s Ecclesall Road South site, the group forms part of the hospice’s wider Social Prescribing programme, offering patients a welcoming and creative space to connect with others through music. The sessions provide much more than an opportunity to learn an instrument; they help reduce isolation, build confidence, encourage relaxation, and create moments of joy during what can be an incredibly challenging time.

Music has been shown to support both emotional and physical wellbeing. For participants living with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, COPD and Motor Neurone Disease, the group can help with coordination, breathing control and motivation, while also providing a powerful outlet for self-expression and social connection.

The popularity of the Ukulele Group continues to grow, reflecting its value to those who attend. Through weekly sessions, participants can develop their musical skills, build lasting friendships and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of making music together.

We recognise the importance of projects like this in enhancing quality of life and supporting holistic care. We are therefore pleased to continue our support for St Luke’s Hospice and this much-valued programme, helping ensure that patients can continue to access the connection, creativity and wellbeing that the Ukulele Group provides.

We look forward to hearing more about the group’s progress and the positive impact it continues to have on patients, families and carers across Sheffield.