World Heart Beat opened a new music education centre in Embassy Gardens, Nine Elms, Wandsworth, in January 2023. The centre is adjacent to some of the poorest housing estates in the UK (bottom 10% - 30% multiple and child deprivation). There is limited cultural and youth infrastructure. Local schools are struggling, there is little music provision and low aspirations. Families are financially and time poor and have minimal experience of engaging with arts and culture.

First Beats is a free to access, music programme for primary school pupils living in challenging circumstances. Mindful that in-school music delivery tends to deliver no legacy engagement, we deliver weekly music activities for children aged 7-11 years and an annual schools’ concert. Crucially, we collect the children from school, removing dependence on families. We nurture self-esteem through our programme and by welcoming pupils into our state-of-the-art music education centre.