Tramlines has raised over £200k for local causes since 2018

The Tramlines Trust has announced the 27 organisations that have received funding grants in 2023, with the majority of this funding going directly to Hillsborough-based organisations.

The £57.6k raised by Tramlines in 2023 brings the total to a whopping £213,000 since 2018, with a £3.7m boost to the local economy in 2023 (independent report by Sheffield City Council).

The Sheffield region is blessed with many powerful ideas and projects that create positive changes to communities, young people, artists and musicians. Tramlines organisers have told Exposed they are beyond proud to support the 2023 recipients who are united in their desire to improve lives and offer support within challenging times.

Photo credit: CFARUOLO

Tramlines Operations Director, Timm Cleasby, said: “To see the full range of people and projects supported in 2023 is fantastic. It’s wonderful to see all the organisations that are benefiting and how they’re using the funding.

“Our city is full of people and organisations doing great things in the creative industries and it’s a privilege to support their activities.”

The Trust was born out of a desire to uplift and give back to the surrounding communities and culture at the heart of Tramlines Festival. Some of the grant highlights from Hillsborough include a £5k donation to Hillsborough Together which will help fund the Christmas lights event in Hillsborough.

Hillsborough Together

There’s also support for the Hillsborough Hornet’s Disability FC who need a bigger pitch plus training for more volunteers and RivelinCo, which is close to the festival site in the famous Rivelin Valley.

Linda Bloomfield, the Founding Director said that money from Tramlines will be used to, ‘create and curate exciting shows, projects and events in unexpected places such as parks, schools, community centres and empty shops, and we lead creative workshops that bring together people of all ages and walks of life to learn new skills.’

Elsewhere, mental health charity Adira, will use funding from Tramlines to buy Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children across the city whilst Hillsborough-based, Bright Iris CIC, will support vulnerable employees in the workplace.

Sheffield Cycling 4 All will help disabled people learn to cycle in Hillsborough Park. Sally Fellow, who uses Sheffield Cycling 4 All said, ‘I never thought cycling would have such a big impact on me, I really feel this has benefited me, I find it easier to feel happier and positive in the day.’

Further afield, Peaks of Colour, provides monthly hikes and ‘walkshops’ for people of colour in Sheffield and the Peak District, whilst Odd Child Productions, created by local artist and Tramlines regular Danae Wellington, aims to ensure that, ‘every ethnically marginalised child and young person is proud of their heritage and culture’, and will use funds from Tramlines to deliver poetry and performance-based workshops in partnership with Mercia Learning Trust.

The Leadmill’s Studio Orchestra is also being funded by Tramlines. Rose Wilcox, Head of Programming said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Tramlines Trust is helping to fund Studio Orchestra, a project that brings young people together who would never normally meet, to collaborate and develop original pieces of music that cross genres of classical with commercial sounds of rap, drill, spoken word, garage, indie music and more.

“Involving organisations such as Sheffield Music Hub’s Senior Orchestra, Slambarz, Sheffield Music School and Sheffield Children in Care Council, the Studio Orchestra project ensures that young musicians get to experience working alongside music industry professionals.’

Another beneficiary is Grow, a group that uses outdoor activities to develop employability skills for young people. Steven Cotton, the Managing Director at Grow, said: “This essential support, from Tramlines, helps young people in Sheffield combat social isolation.”

Grow

Applications will be open for the next round of funding in Spring 2024. More information can be found here – https://tramlines.org.uk/tramlines-in-the-community/the-tramlines-trust/

Since 2018 Tramlines has also donated 650 festival tickets to a variety of charities including, Tickets for Good, providing event tickets to NHS staff, charity workers and those affected by the Cost of Living crisis.

Tickets have also been distributed to Sheffield Young Carers, allowing the young people they support attendance to the festival. Sarah Gerrard, Fundraising Manager at the charity said: “60 per cent of the young people we support in Sheffield come from 20 per cent of the most deprived areas and we know that this kind of treat would be out of reach for many of the families.

“Tramlines has become something that the Sheffield Young Carers are able to look forward to, providing a place for our carers to be free of their caring responsibilities and enjoy the ‘normal’ things that many of their peers do.”

Money was raised across the year via ticket donations and at the festival with a charity collaboration beer brewed by Brewdog named ‘AYE PA’, guest list donations, bar donations, charity merch, Lidl’s ‘Bubbles & Bangers’, Nulty’s backstage bar (named in honour of Festival Director, Sarah Nulty) and a charity raffle hosted after the event.