Young person from a Youth Music programme playing guitar.
Vital spaces where community forms, confidence grows and creative futures begin are under threat.
In 2024, 24% of grassroots youth music projects were at risk of closure. Just one year later, that figure jumped to 41%. For some young people, these projects are a first step towards a career in music that can change the course of their lives. For others, they’re a safe place to experiment, express themselves and build meaningful connections.
Through its urgent ‘Rescue The Roots’ campaign, Youth Music is raising £1 million to protect these spaces – and the future of youth culture – from years of funding cuts, rising costs and the lasting impact of austerity.
Joining a line-up of prizes from Arctic Monkeys, BICEP and Rankin, a custom-made Dr. Martens jukebox is going under a virtual auction to push the campaign towards its target. Every pound raised will be matched by Youth Music, doubling the funding that can be given to youth organisations and emerging young creatives who are in urgent need of support.
A commitment to young creativity, continued
In 2022, the Dr. Martens Foundation and Youth Music began working together to help young D/deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent creatives explore their musical passions – by providing funding for life-changing practical support like mentors, support workers and specialist equipment.
Through this partnership, Dr. Martens donated one of its handcrafted custom jukeboxes to Youth Music. This small piece of Doc’s history reflects the brand’s deep rooted connection to music, and is now going under the hammer to help power even more projects that ensure young people can access the musical spaces that help them rewrite their futures.
Spaces like Diverse FM – a community radio station based in Luton’s most under-supported areas providing training in radio, music and video production. By building skills and confidence through its programmes, it supports young people often left behind due to racial inequity, disability and socio‑economic disadvantage.
Help Rescue the Roots
By bidding on a piece of Dr. Martens history, or one of the other high ticket items in the auction, you can help ensure address the funding crisis threatening grassroots youth music projects across the country – so young people have access to spaces that can change the trajectories of their lives. Check out the auction here.
