Hi, my name is Helen, and I help to lead the Connect programme here in Liverpool. Run jointly by Young Sounds and Resonate, we support 30 young people from low-income families to receive free instrumental and/or vocal lessons alongside other musical opportunities. All of the young people on our programme attend SEND provision.

We would love to set up a regular, specialist ensemble for our young Connect musicians to learn and perform music together. We have a venue, equipment, and a team of very experienced staff ready to go, but currently do not have the funds to get the project started. We estimate that the cost of running this ensemble for a year would be around £6000. This would enable us to pay the ensemble music leaders and a trained mentor to work weekly alongside the young people.