Edsential’s contract to deliver music services across Cheshire West and Chester and Wirral has now ended. This follows the end of our partnership agreement with the Love Music Trust (LMT) and withdrawal of associated Arts Council England (ACE) grant funding.

Who holds the funding for music provision?

As the Hub Lead Organisation, Love Music Trust are in receipt of over £900,000 Revenue Grant and £300,000 Capital Grant for Music Delivery across Cheshire West and Wirral for 2025-26.

Love Music Trust have started to share how some of this funding will be distributed.

I am a school – how do I access funding? 

Schools can apply directly for over £200,000 of this funding via the Cheshire & Wirral Music Hub (CWMH) website here.

Primary Schools can apply for funding to deliver First Access and Progression. Secondary and Special Schools can apply for a grant of £1,000 to deliver Musical Activity.

 How will other areas of Music be funded? 

Love Music Trust have not yet confirmed details for how they will allocate the rest of the ACE grant, including funding for music centres, bursaries, the music lead programme, CPD, or instruments. Please contact Love Music Trust directly for more information.

How do we access instruments?

Any instruments currently out with schools and parents can be kept until the end of the Autumn term, at no charge. We are working closely with the Local Authority to ensure a longer-term solution whereby young people in the community continue to benefit from them.

We will continue to update you as more information becomes available.