Count us IN!

Access to music-making doesn’t just put an instrument in someone’s hands; it builds confidence, connection, belonging and ambition.

We’re so proud to have supported Count Us IN Community Music, an inspiring project from ExploreTheArch in St Leonards-on-Sea, helping children and young people overcome financial and social barriers to making music.

Our support provided half-size guitars for the programme and the impact was immediate.

Children began playing as soon as the guitars arrived, giving them the chance to have an instrument in their hands for the whole session rather than sharing between three or four players. For young musicians just beginning their musical journeys, that time to explore, practice and experiment makes a huge difference.

The project has grown from strength to strength and now reaches 60 young musicians, with free weekly two-hour sessions across guitar, violin, keyboards, flute, singing and music theory.

In November 2025, a group of Count Us IN musicians performed at the Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, alongside more than 1,000 young musicians from across the UK.

But this project is about more than learning an instrument. It brings together children from Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea’s diverse communities, with young people sharing songs from their family heritage. 

Another important part of the story is that the musicians supporting the children are developing too. Early-career facilitators who have themselves experienced barriers to accessing music are gaining skills, experience and paid opportunities while becoming positive role models for the next generation.

We’re delighted to have played a part in this journey and can’t wait to see where Count Us IN goes next.