Croydon · since 2011
Music as relief.
Music Relief Foundation empowers young people and families in grassroots communities through music, creativity, and support programmes.
The scoreboard
5,000+
people supported since 2011
400+
enrolled since the launch of the music school in 2021
Three things stand between young people and music
- 01
Cost locks families out.
- 02
There is no safe, centralised space.
- 03
Access to the arts is widening as a gap.
Voices
Our founder
We take immense pride in our rich history, rooted in the journey of our founder and CEO, Magdalene Usikaro. After migrating to the UK in 1992, aged 11, from Nigeria, Magdalene became a teenage mother in 1998 and faced shame, stigmatisation, and exclusion from her church and family.
Explore our story →“My child's confidence has grown so much since joining MRF Music School.”
What's happening
Recent event
Summer Soirée 2026
We work with
- LSO
- University of Greenwich
- Drumworks
- Noo Thinking
- Pirate Studios
- BASNET
- Partner schools
- LSO
- University of Greenwich
- Drumworks
- Noo Thinking
- Pirate Studios
- BASNET
- Partner schools
Our partners
Strategic partners
London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) · Greenwich University · Goldsmiths, University of London
London Symphony Orchestra
Music Relief Foundation is delighted to partner with the London Symphony Orchestra through a three-year collaboration that expands access to music education, workshops, performances, and cultural experiences for young people. Together, we are creating new opportunities for talent development, community engagement, and high-quality music learning across Thornton Heath and the wider Croydon community.
Impact
By combining Music Relief Foundation's deep community reach with the London Symphony Orchestra's world-class musical expertise, this partnership will help inspire the next generation of musicians, build confidence, strengthen communities, and create life-changing opportunities through music.
Goldsmiths, University of London
Our partnership with Goldsmiths helps us develop innovative approaches to evaluation and impact measurement, ensuring our programmes are evidence-led and participant-centred. Their support strengthened our successful funding bid for Thrive Sing-Along, enabling us to deliver a social prescribing programme for adults living with long-term health conditions.
Impact
By combining research expertise with community practice, this partnership helps us secure investment, measure outcomes, and demonstrate the positive impact of music on wellbeing, confidence, skills, and social connection.
Education partners
Archbishop Tenison's C of E High School · Shirley High School Performing Arts College · The BRIT School
Archbishop Tenison's & Shirley High School
Music Relief Foundation works closely with Archbishop Tenison's C of E High School and Shirley High School Performing Arts College to provide students with access to transformative music and personal development programmes. Through initiatives including Girls Forum and SoundStart, students have engaged in creative learning, developed confidence and leadership skills, and benefited from opportunities that support their wellbeing, aspirations, and future success.
Impact
Together, these partnerships help us reach young people who may not otherwise access high-quality music opportunities, creating pathways for confidence, creativity, leadership, and positive life outcomes.
The BRIT School
We are proud to work with The BRIT School, whose students have volunteered at our community soirées as stage managers, performers, and event hosts. Their involvement enhances our live events while providing valuable industry experience and creating inspiring opportunities for collaboration between emerging artists and young musicians in our programmes.
Impact
The BRIT School partnership bridges grassroots community music and professional creative education, giving young people the opportunity to learn from, perform with, and be inspired by the next generation of creative talent.
Programme delivery partners
Noo Thinking · DrumWorks · Pirate Studios
Noo Thinking
Noo Thinking delivers the employability strand of our SoundStart programme, equipping young people with essential workplace skills, confidence, career insights, and practical tools to support their future education, training, and employment opportunities.
Impact
Together, we help young people turn their creativity into confidence, skills, and real-world opportunities for future success.
Drum Works
Drum Works delivers the rhythm and percussion element of our SoundStart programme, engaging young people in interactive workshops that build musical skills, confidence, creativity, and teamwork through group drumming and performance.
Impact
Together, we help young people find their rhythm, build confidence, and develop valuable life skills through the joy of music-making.
Networks & memberships
UK BME Anti-Slavery Network (BASNET)
UK BME Anti-Slavery Network (BASNET)
Music Relief Foundation is a full member of BASNET, a national network dedicated to tackling modern slavery, exploitation, and human trafficking. Through this membership, we strengthen our safeguarding practice, share learning with sector partners, and help create safer, more resilient communities.
Impact
Our BASNET membership strengthens our safeguarding, connects us to national expertise, and enables us to play an active role in protecting and empowering vulnerable communities.
From Instagram
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News from the music school, events and impact.