Oxford youth music project receives £7,000 police funding to help young people at risk

Zoe Gater

Oxford youth music organisation In-Spire Sounds has secured £7,000 from Thames Valley Police to expand support for young people at risk of exploitation, as it celebrates a new education accreditation and the release of a debut mixtape.

An Oxford-based youth music organisation has secured £7,000 from Thames Valley Police to expand its work supporting young people at risk of exploitation, violence and exclusion from education – with participants already showcasing their talents on a newly released mixtape.

In-Spire Sounds CIC, which operates from professional recording studios on Park End Street, will use the funding to deliver targeted music programmes across Oxfordshire, helping young people build confidence, develop skills and access mentoring before they reach crisis point.

The grant supports the organisation’s preventative approach, using music production, songwriting and creative mentoring to re-engage young people who face barriers in mainstream education or are vulnerable to criminal exploitation.

The funding comes as In-Spire celebrates a major milestone, having recently become an accredited Alternative Education Provider. The accreditation enables young people aged 12 to 25 to gain recognised qualifications alongside taking part in its music and wellbeing programmes.

Funding boost for Oxford youth music charity

The funding will help In-Spire expand its reach across Oxfordshire at a time when many young people are facing increasing challenges around mental health, school exclusion and social isolation.

Since launching in 2020, the organisation says it has supported more than 250 young people each year through workshops in rap, R&B, electronic music, lyric writing, beat-making and music production.

By combining creative opportunities with pastoral support and mentoring, the CIC aims to help young people build confidence, reconnect with education and develop positive futures.

Debut mixtape showcases young talent

The impact of the project can already be heard on IN THE MIX: Volume 1, a 12-track mixtape written, recorded and performed entirely by young people involved with In-Spire.

Released in May 2026 and launched at a dedicated Oxford event, the compilation features rap, R&B and electronic music, with proceeds from Bandcamp sales and donations helping to fund future studio sessions.

The release provides a platform for participants to share their work with the wider community while gaining hands-on experience of the music industry.

Working alongside music industry mentors

Participants learn from a team of established music professionals, including High Focus Records artist Kemastry, producer and engineer Sam Mansell, whose clients have included the BBC, Adobe, Warner Music and the University of Oxford, and UK hip-hop artist Evolucian.

Founder and director Kingsley “King” Boyden said: “We provide a structured, safe space where young people can build confidence, develop skills and see a future for themselves.”

He added: “Our ultimate goal is for young people not to need us anymore. If they don’t need us anymore, that’s success.”

New qualifications and pathways into creative careers

As an accredited Alternative Education Provider, In-Spire can now offer recognised qualifications alongside its creative programmes, giving young people additional routes into further education, employment and the creative industries.

The organisation also works to improve access to music careers for young people from lower-income backgrounds, ethnic minority communities, LGBTQ+ communities and those living with disabilities.

With fresh funding secured, an expanding education offer and a debut release showcasing participants’ achievements, In-Spire Sounds hopes to continue creating opportunities for young people across Oxfordshire through the power of music.

For more information, visit the In-Spire Sounds website.

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