Embedded Music Projects
Free music-making sessions, rooted in community spaces and shaped by young people.
Working with trusted local partners, Back on the Map and Lambton Street Youth and Community Hub, these sessions are built through long-term relationships and create consistent, welcoming spaces where young people can make music, build confidence and connect with others.
These sessions are often the first step to getting involved with music in the city, from working with professional musicians to visiting venues and gigging for the first time.
What happens in a session
Sessions are free to attend, shaped by participants, and are a space to:
Try music for the first time
Write, play and experiment
Work with professional musicians
Make music with others
How it works
Borrow an instrument
Cost and access to equipment can be a barrier to making music.
Our instrument library means young people can use instruments in sessions and, where needed, borrow them to continue making music at home, making it easier to keep going beyond weekly sessions.
Why embedded?
We work in places young people already go, running sessions weekly with the same team. This allows us to:
build trust over time
create consistency
support young people who haven’t previously been able to access music-making
A starting point
For many young people, this is the first step into music.
As confidence grows, some move into Young Musicians Project or other opportunities in the city, with support to make that transition feel possible.
Get involved
Hendon Music Project
When: Wednesday, 5pm-6.45pm (term time)
Where: Elliot House, Mainsforth Terrace W, Sunderland, SR2 8JX.
Who’s it for?: 11-16 year olds
Try out instruments, sing your favourite songs, and have a go at songwriting.
Lambton Street Music Project
When: Thursday, 5pm-7pm (term time)
Where: Lambton Street Youth and Community Hub, 25 Falkland Rd, Sunderland SR4 6XA.
Who’s it for?: 11-18 year olds
Have a go at starting on an instrument, singing and playing together in a band.
We are grateful to Rank Foundation, Youth Music, Barbour Foundation, Culture Start and Sir James Knott Trust for supporting this work.