Ed Sheeran's Mission: Music Education for All UK Kids

Ever since Ed Sheeran shot to fame, he's been sharing his love for music with a big goal in mind: helping kids in the UK get the best music education possible. He's launching a foundation to do just that. Why is this a big deal? Well, music education in the UK has been struggling with funding cuts. This means many kids don't have the chance to learn instruments, take lessons, or even think about a career in music. Sheeran's foundation wants to change that by providing kids with access to instruments and lessons. He believes music teachers play a huge role in shaping young minds. Sheeran and his songwriting partner, Amy Wadge, have been visiting schools in cities like Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, and Belfast. They talk to students about the value of music and how it can be a real career option. Sheeran has a special connection to Wales, having spent his teenage years there working on his songs. So far, his foundation has supported 18 music education organizations and school music departments, helping around 12, 000 kids. He thinks music education can be great for mental health, too. The music industry in the UK employs a lot of people. Sheeran's tour alone employs 150 people, showing there are many roles beyond just performing. His foundation aims to keep growing and pushing for better funding for music education in schools.