Sunderland music charity which fosters city talent in line for national awards
The charity has fostered the music talent of young people across the city.
“We’ve spent nearly ten years building opportunities for young people in Sunderland to make music, develop their skills and create routes for them into the music industry,” says the chief executive of a music charity which has fostered the talent of some of the city’s brightest talent - and is now being recognised nationally.
We Make Culture is one of six organisations from across the UK shortlisted for the Mighty Roots Award at the 2026 National Arts and Cultural Education Awards, while THRIVE, its long-running partnership with WWIN (Wearside Women in Need), is one of four projects nominated for the Social Action Award at the Youth Music Awards 2026.
The double nomination recognises both We Make Culture’s wider work creating long-term music opportunities for young people in Sunderland and a partnership using music to support children and families affected by domestic abuse.
Founded in Sunderland in 2017, We Make Culture works with children and young people across the city, particularly those who face barriers to accessing music and the creative industries.
The charity now delivers 10 music sessions every week across Sunderland, with around 150 young people taking part each week.
Its programmes create routes from a young person’s first experience of making music through to artist development, mentoring, paid leadership opportunities and experience of music careers.
We Make Culture Executive Director Laura Brewis said: “We’re incredibly proud to have two very different parts of our work recognised nationally at the same time. We’ve spent nearly ten years building opportunities for young people in Sunderland to make music, develop their skills and create routes for them into the music industry.
“Neither nomination belongs to us alone. They reflect the young people who shape what we do, our brilliant staff and music leaders, and the partners who have worked with us over the long term to make this possible.”
The Mighty Roots Award is part of the National Arts and Cultural Education Awards, organised by Curious Minds, and recognises grassroots creative organisations making an outstanding contribution to the cultural and creative lives of children and families in their communities.
We Make Culture is one of six organisations shortlisted nationally.
Winners will be announced at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on 21 October.
The second nomination recognises THRIVE, We Make Culture’s long-running partnership with Sunderland domestic abuse charity Wearside Women in Need.
THRIVE brings child-led music-making into refuge and community settings, working alongside the specialist support provided by WWIN.
Developed over several years, the partnership uses music to create safe spaces where children and young people affected by domestic abuse can make choices, express themselves, build confidence and have their voices heard.
The project is one of four nominees nationally for the Social Action Award at the Youth Music Awards 2026.
THRIVE Project Manager Beccy Young said: “THRIVE has always been about giving children and young people a space where they can make choices, be creative and have their voices heard.
“What makes it work is the combination of WWIN’s specialist knowledge and We Make Culture’s approach to music-making, and the trust that has developed through working together over several years.”
The National Arts and Cultural Education Awards take place on 21 October 2026 at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
The Youth Music Awards 2026 will take place at Troxy in London on 18 November 2026.