PAUL Hamlyn Foundation has awarded Royal Liverpool Philharmonic a major gift to support music opportunities for children and young people across Liverpool City Region.

The gift includes a £3.5 million endowment, the investment gains from which will be solely used to underpin their long-term commitment to inspiring children and young people to develop their passion for music and fulfil their potential. Alongside the endowment is a £500,000 grant which will be used over 5 years to expand Liverpool Philharmonic’s In Harmony Youth Hubs into new areas of the City.

This dedicated grant funding will enable more local young people to make music, learn an instrument, sing, perform and make friends, helping to increase skills and improve their wellbeing.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation has been a long-standing supporter of Liverpool Philharmonic and In Harmony Liverpool. Their commitment and recognition of Liverpool Philharmonic’s work will ensure that young people in Liverpool City Region, particularly those experiencing socio-economic inequality, can benefit for years to come. This unprecedented gift marks a significant milestone in Liverpool Philharmonic's 184-year history, representing the largest single gift ever received by the organisation and signifying a targeted investment in the young people of Liverpool.

A participant of In Harmony Liverpool said:- “It has given me skills that some people never have the chance to get. I have had great opportunities, and it has given me confidence – I am a better listener and more attentive to other people. I didn’t know what to expect but I was excited at a new style of music and playing and chose to learn the violin because of the way it sounded. I am more sociable and have met people I would not otherwise have met. Employers want to employ people that stand out and have extra layers to them, playing an instrument has added that.”

Michael Eakin, Chief Executive of Liverpool Philharmonic said:- “We are deeply grateful for the generosity of Paul Hamlyn Foundation. This gift is recognition of the work we have done for the past 15 years, and a real vote of confidence in our organisation from one of the leading foundations supporting work in the arts to effect social change and to ensure young people, can realise their full potential. Our mission is to transform lives through music and it is fundamental to Liverpool Philharmonic that we are deeply rooted in and making a difference in our communities. In particular we are committed to engaging young people in music making and developing their creative talent, providing opportunities where they might not otherwise exist. The Paul Hamlyn Foundation gift will help us to continue to deliver and to build the impact of this work for the long term.”

Moira Sinclair, Chief Executive, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, said:- “Our longstanding support of the Liverpool Philharmonic reflects our mutual interest in supporting young people to enjoy fulfilling and creative lives. For many years now, Liverpool Philharmonic has played a central role in the cultural offering to young people in Liverpool, particularly those who may have faced barriers to engaging with arts and culture before. Alongside this, their work with schools and community organisations have gone further to deepen and strengthen their connection to their place and their community, addressing inequity in who takes part in the arts. We hope this endowment will help them to sustain and grow this outstanding work for many years to come.”

With support from Paul Hamlyn Foundation, In Harmony Liverpool has been running for 15 years and has supported over 4,000 individual children, young people and their families living in North Liverpool since its launch in 2009. 

In Harmony uses orchestral music-making to improve the life chances of children and young people from early years to 18 by increasing confidence, wellbeing, skills, and resilience, enhanced by opportunities to learn, perform, create and collaborate with professional musicians, international artists, and other young people. 

Every child learns an instrument, sings and creates music throughout primary school, with wide ranging music activities for children in the early years, after school and following transition to secondary school. 1,790 children and young people are learning music every week, free of charge, through In Harmony Liverpool.

Liverpool Philharmonic's In Harmony Youth Hubs were established in 2022 initially in Anfield and Everton. The Youth Hubs offer an incredible diversity of opportunities for young people to engage in music. They combine youth club culture with musical excellence to support 11-18 year-olds in accessing music-making and skills development throughout their teenage years outside of school. 

Youth Hubs enable continued access to music-making free of charge and welcome any young person in the local community. They are accessible, safe spaces that encourage positive mental health, social networks, friendships, and provide skills development and employability support. 

Young people wishing to pursue their music to a higher level can access additional specialist support through the In Harmony Talent Development programme and progress into local Music Hub provision and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company.