Studio Rising: A New Music Programme Supporting Young People in Southwark
Finding Rhythms is delighted to launch Studio Rising, an exciting new music programme for young people aged 14–17 across Southwark.
Supported by London’s Violence Reduction Unit through London Community Foundation, Studio Rising has been developed to support young people who may be at risk of involvement in the criminal justice system, using music as a powerful tool for creativity, confidence and personal development.
The programme builds on the success of Finding Rhythms Studio, our flagship one-to-one music-making programme for adults leaving prison or at risk of offending. Having seen the transformative impact music can have on confidence, emotional wellbeing and future aspirations, we’re incredibly proud to extend this opportunity to younger people.
Who is Studio Rising for?
Studio Rising is open to young people who:
• Are aged 14–17
• Are experiencing challenges that may place them at risk of involvement in the criminal justice system or who have already had contact with the criminal justice system
• Have an interest in music and want to develop their creative skills
• Live in South London and are able to travel to our Peckham studio (with transport support available where needed)
What participants can expect
Every young person referred to Studio Rising will receive personalised, one-to-one support from a professional music producer in a safe, welcoming studio environment.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
• Attend weekly after-school sessions in a private recording studio
• Write, record and produce their own original music
• Explore their thoughts, emotions and experiences through creativity
• Build confidence, communication and creative skills
• Gain a King’s Trust qualification in Personal Development and Employability Skills
• Enjoy free refreshments during every session
No previous musical experience is required, just a willingness to get involved and explore new possibilities.
Why music?
Music creates opportunities for young people to express themselves in ways that traditional interventions often can’t.
Through songwriting, recording and creative collaboration, participants are encouraged to build confidence, discover their strengths and develop skills that can support them both now and in the future.
At Finding Rhythms, we’ve seen first-hand how creativity can help people reconnect with themselves, strengthen relationships and begin to imagine a different future. Studio Rising has been designed to bring those same opportunities to young people at a crucial stage in their lives.
Finding Rhythms’ Programme Manager, Catherine Bullough, says:
We’re so excited to launch Studio Rising. It feels like a natural progression of Finding Rhythms Studio, which has been running for the past two and a half years, where we’ve seen first-hand how music can build confidence, develop skills and create new opportunities. We look forward to working with young people aged 14-17 through Studio Rising and seeing them take positive steps towards their futures, as well as hearing all the incredible music they’ll create!
Referrals now open
We’re now accepting referrals for our first cohort, beginning in September 2026.
If you’re a professional working with young people and know someone who could benefit from Studio Rising, we’d love to hear from you.
Simply complete our referral form and a member of the Finding Rhythms team will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
If you’d like to find out more about the programme or discuss whether Studio Rising is the right fit for a young person you’re supporting, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team.
For professionals working with adults aged 18 and over, referrals to Finding Rhythms Studio remain open as usual.
We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their voice, realise their potential and imagine a brighter future. Through Studio Rising, we’re excited to help make that possible – one song at a time.
