Ed Sheeran made a surprise visit to Belfast this week to launch his charity, The Ed Sheeran Foundation, in Northern Ireland. The foundation, which focuses on improving access to music education and advocating for increased support for the arts, will provide funding to three local organisations: Drake Music NI, HotBox Entertainment and the Oh Yeah Music Centre.

Joined by Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, Ed met with young musicians and music educators, participated in a band rehearsal and donated guitars at Matchetts Music. His visit included discussions with local educators and music organisations about the challenges facing music education in NI, which remains underfunded compared to the rest of the UK.

Gary Lightbody highlighted the importance of the initiative. “Music and the arts are badly underfunded in Northern Ireland. Furthermore, Northern Ireland is often excluded from British arts initiatives. That’s why it’s so significant that Ed has expanded to include Northern Ireland in his Foundation work. I’m particularly encouraged by what it could mean for Northern Ireland.”

The funding has already inspired new initiatives. HotBox Entertainment – a world-class HQ for hip-hop, drill, R&B and rap in East Belfast – plans to support 30 artists with a new mixtape, host 20 live sessions, and organise an award show celebrating young talent.

James Ayo of HotBox said: “Thanks to the generous donation from Ed Sheeran’s Foundation, we will be supporting 30 artists through the creation of a new mixtape and offering another 20 artists the opportunity to showcase their talent through live sessions in a fully equipped facility. Additionally, we are organising an award show to celebrate young talent, lift their spirits, and combat feelings of depression, and a lack of opportunity.”

Drake Music NI, which specialises in creating opportunities for musicians with disabilities, will use the donation to expand its workshops and ensembles, ensuring access to adapted instruments and technology.

Oh Yeah Music Centre, a cornerstone of Belfast’s music community, will provide instruments, mentoring, tuition and performance opportunities to 100 young people facing barriers to accessing music education.

Charlotte Dryden, CEO of Oh Yeah Music Centre, emphasised the foundation’s impact. “The funding of the arts in Northern Ireland is at an all-time low and the cost of living is not getting any easier, so to have this support from Ed Sheeran is incredible,” she said. “Music education is a vital part of a child’s development and we want to ensure that we can play a part in supporting young people that may face barriers to get involved in music.”

“Thanks to the Ed Sheeran Foundation we will be able to provide 100 young people with access to music that will include instruments, mentoring, tuition and performances. We aim to incorporate existing projects, as well as working with our partners and will be engaging with schools as part of this.”

The launch has also inspired other organisations to contribute, including Shine Promotions, which has pledged £10,000 towards purchasing instruments for local musicians.

Ed Sheeran’s commitment to music education reflects his own experience: “Music education has shaped who I am. I’ve always enjoyed playing music, and it’s led to some of the best moments of my life.”

The Ed Sheeran Foundation’s work aims to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to explore their potential through music, supporting the next generation of artists and creators in NI and beyond.