This year has been one of positive change and development for Old Chapel Music CIC. While continuing to provide affordable, high-quality rehearsal and recording facilities for musicians across Leeds, we have strengthened our focus on becoming a true community music hub, supporting people at every stage of their musical journey. Based in Holbeck, we remain committed to ensuring that music is accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. Throughout the year we have continued to balance our commercial rehearsal business with our social mission, reinvesting income into programmes that support wellbeing, creativity and opportunities for local musicians. Our community work has continued to grow. We successfully delivered three music groups supporting adults facing barriers to participation, including people experiencing poor mental health, social isolation and other challenges. These sessions have provided safe, welcoming environments where participants have developed confidence, built friendships and improved their wellbeing through making music together. Alongside our funded programmes, we have continued to nurture Leeds' grassroots music scene by hosting a programme of open mic nights, writers' rounds and informal jam sessions. These events have created valuable performance opportunities for emerging artists, encouraged collaboration between musicians and strengthened the sense of community that has always been at the heart of Old Chapel. Supporting young and emerging musicians has been a particular priority this year. We were proud to work in partnership with Kirklees College to host the Brand Your Band programme, providing rehearsal facilities and an inspiring environment for developing artists to gain practical industry experience alongside mentoring and business support. We also welcomed music students from Leeds City College, giving them opportunities to record, rehearse and experience working within a professional music environment. In addition, we partnered with ICMP to host their songwriting boot camp, introducing prospective students to collaborative songwriting and professional studio facilities. These partnerships have strengthened our relationships with education providers and helped create clearer pathways into the music industry for young people across the region. Old Chapel has continued to attract a diverse range of musicians, from first-time performers to established touring artists. As one of Leeds' longest-standing rehearsal spaces, we remain proud of our reputation for providing an affordable, inclusive and supportive environment where creativity can flourish. Every rehearsal booking helps sustain our community programmes, allowing our commercial activity and social impact to work hand in hand. The organisation has continued to operate in a challenging financial environment, with increasing operating costs affecting the wider charitable and cultural sector. Despite these pressures, we have remained resilient by carefully managing resources, strengthening partnerships and continuing to diversify our activities. Throughout the year our focus has remained firmly on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organisation while maintaining the quality of our services and protecting our community offer. Looking ahead, we aim to continue expanding our community programmes, deepen our partnerships with education providers and support even more musicians across Leeds. By combining high-quality rehearsal facilities with meaningful community engagement, Old Chapel Music CIC remains committed to making music accessible, supporting wellbeing and helping the next generation of artists develop and thrive.

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