Music industry charity, The BRIT Trust has distributed a total of £25,000 to six charities located across the UK that draw on the power of music and the creative arts to promote education, wellbeing and community engagement.

Poplar ARCA, the John Preston Fund, Britten Pears Arts, Come Play With Me, London Youth Choirs and the Avenues Project are all benefitting from the £25,000 donation.

The BRIT Trust's mission is to improve lives through the power of music and the creative arts. Funded largely by the annual BRIT Awards and Music Industry Trust (MITS) dinners, the Trust has distributed around £28 million and made more than 230 grant commitments to a wide range of causes since it was founded in 1989.

BRIT Trust Chair Tony Wadsworth CBE said: "The BRIT Trust is known for the long-term support it gives to a number of major charities that draw on the power of music and the creative arts, but we also take pride in supporting a wide range of smaller charities around the country, who may be a little less well known, but contribute to our communities in equally important ways. The trustees are delighted to support these latest causes, and we wish them well in their diverse endeavours and the wonderful work they do."

The six charities and their particular projects to benefit are:

Poplar HARCA (Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association Trading), whose In Third Person programme takes music and the creative arts to the streets where the young people spend their time. The funding has gone towards creating a 3-5 track EP of soundscapes, with original tracks and podcasts focussing on young people's lives, opinions and ambitions.

The John Preston Fund, which is part of The Liam Colgan Music Fund – an independent charity set up to support young musicians and others in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland keen to pursue ambitions in music. Within the Liam Colgan Music Fund, the John Preston Fund sits where applications for two open awards being offered by the new fund – for one songwriter and one musician aged between sixteen and 30.

Britten Pears Arts, which has created Group A on Tour – a vocal group that works with young people living in challenging circumstances in Ipswich and Lowestoft, including Looked After Children, young carers and young people with special educational needs. Working with professional composers, the young people aged 8-18 will co-create their own material which will be performed at a number of events in Suffolk.

Come Play With Me – A Leeds based social enterprise. Funding is going to core artist development services specifically targeted to women, people of marginalised genders and LGBTQIA+ musicians. Through an open submission call-out, 4 artists are identified from these under-represented groups. Workshops/mentoring/support around creation of content and career development.

London Youth Choirs – a family of eight choirs for young people from school year 3 to age 23, which meet once a week in term time, and perform regularly throughout the year across London and beyond. Their citywide vision works to deliver musical excellence and social change, removing barriers to access to ensure that everyone can take part. The funding will go to provide wellbeing and pastoral provision at weekly rehearsals and concerts.

Avenues Project – The Avenues team of youth professionals welcomes young people from every community in West London to a fun, purpose built creative space blending music and the arts, sport and leisure and the kitchen, where they can discover new passions, skills and friends. Funding will go towards 'mic drop' free to access sessions and evening course for 14-18 year olds.