We’re thrilled to announce that CLIP has been awarded £100,000 from Youth Music to deliver a two-year programme supporting young people to explore sound, music and creativity in their own way.
This project is backed by Youth Music, thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England.
Beginning in early 2026, CLIP will expand our work with young people aged 11–19 who face barriers to music-making, whether that’s economic disadvantage, rural isolation, or underrepresentation in creative spaces. Through a range of workshops, performances, and tailored small-group sessions, we’ll create spaces where young people can build confidence, make connections and express themselves through sound.
What will happen during Future Frequencies
Over the next two years, we’ll run creative music and sound sessions across Colchester, Tendring and Sudbury. Each programme will be designed with and for young people, supporting them to take creative risks, explore new ideas and develop a lasting relationship with music.
We’ll be testing new approaches such as:
-
Low-pressure sharing opportunities, for those who might not feel ready for a public performance.
-
Extended equipment loans, so participants can keep creating at home between sessions in their own space and at their own pace.
-
More socially focused activities, encouraging community, connection and collaboration amongst peers.
These sessions will be open, inclusive and adaptive, led by young people’s interests, identities and creative ambitions.
What we want to learn
We want to deepen our understanding of how to build confidence, identity, and long-term engagement among young people who face barriers to participation.
We’ll focus on three key areas of learning:
-
Participant growth – exploring what helps young people develop creative autonomy and self-belief.
-
Facilitation strategies – refining how our workshop leaders design and deliver inclusive, responsive sessions.
-
CLIP as a “third space” – understanding how our spaces, both physical and digital, act as a consistent, welcoming space outside of school and home.
By using reflective practice, participant feedback and co-designed evaluation methods, we’ll gather insights that inform CLIP’s work now and in the future, helping us keep our programmes youth-led, inclusive and genuinely transformative.
Why this matters
For many young people CLIP is more than a music session, it’s a place to belong. Future Frequencies will build on that foundation, creating new opportunities for creative expression, collaboration, and personal growth.
We’re incredibly grateful to Youth Music and the National Lottery via Arts Council England for recognising the importance of this work and investing in the next generation of young music-makers.
Get involved
Future Frequencies launches in early 2026. We’ll be announcing opportunities to take part, collaborate or volunteer soon, so keep an eye on our website and socials for updates.
If you’d like to find out more, or to discuss partnership opportunities, get in touch at info@clipsoundandmusic.uk.
