Mayor supports charity helping young people excel in the arts and music

27 May 2022

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, met young people whose lives have been transformed thanks to a music and arts charity. 

MAP Charity, in Leeds, helps people aged 11 to 16-years-old who are having difficulties accessing mainstream school.  

It offers a safe and inspiring space to be creative and gain music, arts, skills, and qualifications. 

On a recent tour, the Mayor met the team at MAP charity and saw first-hand the difference the charity was making, 

Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire said:  

“It was a privilege to meet the team based at Hope Foundry and see how vital the work MAP Charity does in helping students who aren’t in mainstream education. 

“I’m passionate about helping more young people discover their talents and go on to enjoy careers in the creative industries. 

“Within West Yorkshire we have a proud history of producing some of the nation’s best actors, musicians and artists and I can’t wait to see the students from MAP charity  follow in their footsteps.” 

Hope Foundry is based on Mabgate which is in Leeds’s Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward and is one of the most deprived areas of the UK. 

Charlie Stobbart, Co-founder and Director of MAP Charity said:  

“It has been a pleasure to introduce the Mayor to Hope Foundry, and we hope by showcasing our talented students and local creative partners, we can raise awareness and provide support to even more young people.  

“We are passionate about nurturing the next generation of creative talent and take pride in giving them the best start to their careers.  

“We also support a community of creative professionals with affordable workspace, who in return offer our students enhanced learning, valuable work experience and professional development opportunities. We anticipate some of our students will one day return to Hope Foundry and continue the cycle of support.” 

In 2021, the Mayor launched Beyond Brontes - the Screen Diversity Programme, which supports young people to gain qualifications and careers in the creative industries.  

The programme provides free part-time training to young people, aged 18 – 30, from under-represented groups to help them access roles in film and TV. So far, the Beyond Brontes programme has produced over 100 graduates, with a number of these going on to work in the TV and Film industry on exciting, high-profile films, dramas, and factual TV shows  

To further support the screen production industry, boost growth and recovery, West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Creative Catalyst programme recently commissioned Indielab West Yorks to deliver a bespoke Accelerator programme. 

To find out more on how the Mayor and West Yorkshire Combined Authority is supporting the creative industry, please visit: The Creative Catalyst - LEP | Business support and finance (the-lep.com) and The Mayor's Screen Diversity Programme. 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is committed to supporting businesses across the region by identifying appropriate training, find training provision and align staff development with overall business plans. Businesses wanting to find out more can visit www.the-lep.com/business-support.