Singer Ed Sheeran has launched a foundation in his name to support music education in the UK. The Ed Sheeran Foundation aims to provide inclusive music education and has already backed 18 grassroots music education organisations and state school music departments across the country.
The foundation will work to improve access to music for more than 12,000 children and young people by providing instruments, creating performance opportunities, and opening pathways into the industry. Sheeran, 33, said: 'Music education has shaped who I am. I’ve always enjoyed playing music, and it’s led to some of the best moments of my life.'
In an Instagram post, Sheeran highlighted the declining importance placed on music education, noting that it was often seen as a 'doss subject' in school. He emphasised the music industry's economic contribution of £7.6 billion a year and 216,000 jobs in the UK, and expressed a desire for children to learn instruments, production, songwriting, and performance, as well as benefit from apprenticeship schemes.
The Thinking Out Loud singer marked the creation of his foundation by visiting young people, teachers, and youth workers in Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, and Belfast. The foundation will also advocate for greater recognition of music's transformative power and the essential role of music teachers, amid a 56% decline in music teacher recruitment since 2011, according to a report by the Cultural Learning Alliance.
One of the grassroots organisations visited was Sound Progression in Cardiff, which offers weekend music lessons and mentoring. Founder Paul Lyons said: 'Our young people come from diverse backgrounds across Cardiff... Our weekend workshops serve as safe, inclusive spaces that unite communities — but without additional investment, we risk losing this and the incredible talent they nurture.'
Coventry Alternative Provision Academy and Coventry Music have also partnered with the foundation to acquire studio space for young people without a school place. Head teacher Glenn Mellor commented: 'Music is so important for our young people. Having this studio reaches them in a way that will inspire them to believe they can go further with their ambitions and future careers.'
