Aspire Ryde is excited to announce that we’ve successfully secured funding from the7stars Foundation, BBC Children in Need, and generous community donations to deliver our brand-new project, Empower Through Music. Launching in October 2025, this creative, trauma-informed programme will run weekly at our Creative Hubs in Ryde and Shanklin, supporting young people aged under 16 who are experiencing or at risk of addiction-related challenges.
Empower Through Music is designed to offer a safe, inspiring space where young people can use music as a tool for emotional expression, regulation, and recovery. Through engaging group sessions in songwriting, music production, beat-making, and lyric writing, participants will explore creative outlets that build confidence and resilience.
With many young people impacted by substance misuse, vaping, or addiction within the home, these sessions provide an essential lifeline—one grounded in empathy, creativity, and positive relationships. Sessions will be led by trained music practitioners and youth workers, some with lived experience of addiction recovery, offering meaningful, relatable support.
Participants will help shape the sessions and take part in a final community performance, celebrating their growth and achievements. Integration with Aspire’s wider wellbeing and mentoring services ensures that every young person receives holistic, ongoing support.
Thanks to the vital backing from funders and donors, Empower Through Music is set to make a lasting impact. We look forward to welcoming young people into the programme and helping them find their voice, beat by beat.
