An Oxford youth music organisation has been awarded £7,000 from the Thames Valley Police Community Fund to expand its work supporting young people at risk of criminal exploitation, violence and social harm across Oxfordshire.
In-Spire Sounds CIC will use the funding to deliver targeted music-based interventions designed to engage young people before they become involved in the criminal justice system. The investment supports the organisation’s preventative approach, which combines music production, songwriting and mentoring with personal development and education.
The funding comes as In-Spire Sounds celebrates a significant milestone, having recently become an accredited Alternative Education Provider. The accreditation allows young people aged 12 to 25 who participate in its programmes to gain recognised qualifications alongside developing creative and technical music skills.
The impact of the organisation’s work has also been showcased through the release of its first mixtape, IN THE MIX: Volume 1. The 12-track project was written and performed entirely by young people involved in In-Spire Sounds programmes and launched at a special release event in Oxford.
Featuring a blend of rap, R&B and electronic music, the mixtape provides a platform for participants to share their stories and demonstrate the skills developed through the programme. Proceeds from donations will be reinvested into future studio sessions and youth activities.
Based at professional recording facilities on Park End Street in Oxford, In-Spire Sounds provides mentoring and creative opportunities for young people who may face barriers within mainstream education. The organisation works with participants through one-to-one support, group sessions and performance opportunities aimed at building confidence, wellbeing and future aspirations.
Young people are mentored by a team of industry professionals, including rapper Kemastry, recording artist and producer Evolucian, and creative professional Sam Mansell, who has worked with organisations including Adobe, Warner Music, Soho House, the University of Oxford and the BBC.
Kingsley “King” Boyden, Director of In-Spire Sounds CIC, said: “In school they can learn music theory, but at In-Spire Sounds they learn creativity.
“We provide a structured, safe space where young people can build confidence, develop skills and see a future for themselves.”
He added: “Our ultimate goal with the alternative provision is for young people not to need us anymore. If they don’t need us anymore, that’s success.
“Accreditation means we can now combine creative development with recognised qualifications, giving participants tangible progression routes. And IN THE MIX is what that looks like in practice, a record made entirely by the young people who come through our doors.”
Since launching in 2020, In-Spire Sounds has supported more than 250 young people each year through workshops covering lyric writing, beat-making, music production and performance.
The organisation says it is committed to improving access to opportunities within the creative industries, particularly for young people from lower-income backgrounds, ethnic minority communities, LGBTQ+ communities and those living with disabilities.
The latest funding arrives at a time when youth organisations across the country are responding to growing concerns around mental health, educational exclusion and youth vulnerability. By using music as a tool for engagement and personal development, In-Spire Sounds hopes to continue creating positive pathways for young people across Oxfordshire.
You can hear the mixtape here
