When headlines celebrate emerging grassroots bands or praise a city’s musical rebirth, they rarely focus on the quiet work happening behind studio doors. In Sunderland, the Young Musicians Project (YMP) – the flagship initiative of social enterprise We Make Culture – is doing that vital heavy lifting.
Founded by Laura Brewis and based at Field Music’s studio, YMP provides free, weekly sessions for young people aged 13–19 to write, experiment and collaborate.
At the core of YMP is the concept of a ‘third space’ – an environment removed from the rigid pressures of formal schooling or everyday life. Laura explains: “Young people need spaces where they can try things out without feeling they’re being assessed or worrying about getting it wrong. At YMP, participation isn’t dependent on experience, confidence or having a clear idea of where you want to go. Young people can take part in a way that works for them, while those who want to progress are supported to develop their skills, perform, release music and explore creative careers.”
Without academic targets, participants are free to take creative risks and find their own distinct voices. The programme allows attendees to take away whatever support they specifically need, whether that is simply a welcoming space to experiment or guidance towards a future in music.
Having working artists as mentors can change how young creators perceive a career in music. Mentors pass on active industry knowledge while connecting young artists directly with key regional venues such as Pop Recs, The Bunker and Independent, alongside youth programmes nationwide, helping to build sustainable pathways into the industry.
Rather than presenting the music industry as something distant or inaccessible, YMP gives young people the opportunity to experience it from the inside, surrounded by people who understand both its challenges and possibilities.
The practical impact of this supportive ecosystem is already visible across the UK music scene, with YMP alumni making significant waves across a range of genres. Dylan Abbot and Frazer Graham joined YMP in its first iteration and now tour nationally and internationally with Tom A Smith. Isabel Maria joined YMP in 2019 and has since won the NE Culture Awards’ Best Newcomer and the Alan Hull Songwriting Award, as well as being named a BBC Introducing One to Watch in 2025. She regularly tours and releases music. Claudia, a riot grrrl trio, formed through YMP in 2021. Their debut EP, ‘Chew Toy’, was released on Serial Bowl Records in 2026, alongside support slots for bands including Ash. Georgia Ruyi joined YMP in 2024, and her debut single, released in January 2026 via YMP Records, earned national airplay on BBC 6 Music.
YMP’s success demonstrates the lasting impact of providing young people with a safe, accessible environment for creative experimentation. By removing barriers, encouraging collaboration and giving emerging artists the freedom to find their own voices, the project is helping shape not only Sunderland’s musical future, but the wider UK music scene.
To find out more about the Young Musicians Project in Sunderland, head to wemakeculture.co.uk.
