Ensemble, run by Wheatley Care, sees young people with experience of homelessness and mental health challenges paired up with professional musicians to write and record original music.

Following a free concert at Saint Luke’s in Glasgow late last month, donations to the group’s JustGiving page helped them reach their initial fundraising goal. The money will be used to help more people from across Scotland access the music-based support offered by the project.

Since it launched in 2016, participants have seen their work performed live on stage, including at Social Bite’s World’s Big Sleep Out in Edinburgh and have now played two shows at Saint Luke’s, as well as having their songs played on national radio.

Currently, young people involved in Ensemble are working on songs for their second album, a follow-up to 2021’s ‘No Place Like It’.

Andrew Sinclair, 24, from Stirling, joined Ensemble in 2018. At the time, he was staying at a Wheatley Care supported accommodation project in Stirling.

After being a participant on the course and recording a song titled ‘Battlefield’, he currently supports other young people on the programme and lives in a private tenancy in Stirling.

Andrew said: “Before Ensemble, I was very shy. The only people I really spoke to were my support workers. Even then, I’d still be reserved. I’m now a lot more open.

“I never thought I’d ever have the opportunities to do the things I’ve been able to do through this project. I’ve appeared on the radio talking about Ensemble and have appeared on stage after seeing musicians perform the song I wrote. It’s been an incredible experience.”

Louise Dunlop, managing director of Wheatley Care, said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has donated to Ensemble and supported our work over the years.

“This award-winning project empowers young people who would not normally have the chance to take part in music making and other creative activities. It has created a powerful sense of belonging and community which is making a profound difference to people’s lives.

“We launched the JustGiving fundraiser with the aim of making the project as sustainable as possible and to remove barriers that some people face to take part. We are delighted to have hit our initial fundraising target and look forward to continuing these efforts so we can support even more people through music.”

Ensemble’s debut album can be purchased on Bandcamp, with all profits going back into funding Ensemble songwriting activities.

You can still donate to their Just Giving page here.