Youth Music, the UK’s leading charity helping marginalised young people make and monetise music, has today announced its urgent £1 million ‘Rescue the Roots’ fundraising campaign to address the funding crisis threatening grassroots youth music projects across the country.

The sector is currently at breaking point and without action, the future of young people’s lives in music will be even more bleak, as Youth Music predicts: 

In ten years, young people across eight UK regions will lose access to grassroots youth music projects 

This prediction is based on funding cuts over many years, the current cost-of-living crisis and the resulting impact on maintaining essential community music spaces. where young people make music, make friends and develop their musical skills. 

• Two in five (41%) grassroots youth music projects at risk of closure - an increase of 17% v 2024 (24%)
• 54% of Youth Music’s funded partners have a waiting list of young people that want to take part but can’t due to lack of funds - an increase of 4% v 2024 (50%)
• Youth Music is only able to support less than one in five (18%) of the applications it receives, leaving over 260,000 young people without access to music-making, creative development and potential pathways into the music industries
• The financial position of 41% of Youth Music’s funded partners are set to get worse over the next 12 months, an increase of 8% v 2024 (34%), with over a quarter (28%) uncertain about the future 

Youth Music is always looking for ways to drive systemic change in the music industry and unite the sector to address the current crisis and sustain the ecosystem for the long term. ‘Rescue the Roots’ is a call to arms from Youth Music to individuals and organisations who care passionately about music and young people to donate what they can. Youth Music will match every pound raised up to £1 million to create a total of £2 million to quickly distribute to youth organisations and emerging young creatives who are in urgent need of support. This will provide crucial support for over 18,000 young people in 2025. 

The impact of Youth Music’s work is reflected in a new ‘Rescue the Roots’ documentary by Tell Studio that powerfully illustrates the importance of music in young people’s lives, socially, personally and musically. It can be watched here. 

In a show of support, Rizzle Kicks singer and author Jordan Stephens, who credits his success to UK grassroots youth music projects, made his backing of the campaign permanent with a new tattoo. After watching the ‘Rescue the Roots’ documentary at the 2024 Youth Music Awards, Jordan, who was honoured with the Youth Music Grassroots Hero Award, delivered a powerful speech on the importance of grassroots youth music before deciding to take his commitment one step further. 

Designed by partner and former Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall, and inked by Tianna Clarke, Jordan’s new ‘Rescue the Roots’ tattoo was documented in a film also by Tell Studio, which can be watched here.  

Rizzle Kicks star and Youth Music’s current Grassroots Hero Award recipient, Jordan Stephens, said: “The UK music scene is in big trouble. Grassroots music projects are places for young people to build community, hone their passions and find purpose, and yet they are closing down at a worrying rate. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of organisations like Youth Music and the grassroots music projects they fund.

 “That’s why I’m proud to support the Rescue the Roots campaign, and why I’m making my support permanent with this new tattoo. Rescue the Roots isn’t just a phrase, it’s a call to arms and a plea for fundraising support – it is the most important thing we can do to safeguard the next generation of musical talent. If we don't, there will be no new artists, no fresh sounds, no future for UK music. Please help us Rescue the Roots before it’s too late.” 

Matt Griffiths, Youth Music CEO, says: “The crisis facing grassroots youth music projects is at breaking point. The lack of funding available is at critically low levels and the threat of closure for many is more imminent than ever. We cannot overstate what the closure of these incredible community projects means to not only the young people that they support, but also to the UK economy as a whole. In a turbulent time across the UK, music as a vehicle for social change is needed more than ever.

 “Unlike many other organisations who raise alarms, we are not just highlighting the problem - we are actively working on solutions, including putting £1m from our reserves towards the Rescue the Roots campaign. The campaign aims to bring the whole industry together to address this issue head-on. From fundraising and co-investment to encouraging social entrepreneurship and developing workforce opportunities through our Industry Connect coalition, we’re implementing concrete steps to save grassroots youth music.

We’re not just asking for change - we’re making it happen. The time for action is now, and we urge you all to join us in safeguarding the future of UK music and making it more diverse, more accessible and more equitable for young people.”

Youth Music is urging people to join them and donate to Rescue the Roots. The campaign offers various opportunities for music businesses, artists and fans to get involved. Donate now to safeguard the future of UK music. https://youthmusic.enthuse.com/cf/rescue-the-roots