Music education charity announced as national award finalist
A Birmingham charity that each week supports hundreds of Birmingham schools and teaches music to thousands of Birmingham school children, has been declared a finalist in the prestigious 2025 Charity Awards.
It is the only Birmingham-based charity to have been shortlisted in the awards.
Services For Education is one of three charities shortlisted by judges in the Arts, culture and heritage category of the Charity Awards – which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.
It is the second time that Services For Education has been a finalist in the category. In 2022 it was judged winner - particularly for the charity’s response to the pandemic and its work in ensuring music education and school support continued in Birmingham despite lockdowns.
The charity’s work in expanding the number and range of music ensembles in the city has been particularly highlighted as has its work in developing a new initiative - Music Cares – which is a partnership between Birmingham Virtual School (the umbrella body that oversees the education of children in care in Birmingham) and the charity.
Two representatives of Services For Education will be at the ceremony as guests of the Charity Awards to attend the Awards’ presentations on 3 July at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.
They will be welcomed at a red-carpet reception, followed by dinner and an evening of awards and celebration.
Services For Education chief executive, Sharon Bell, said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in what is regarded as the UK’s most prestigious award for charities and third-sector organisations.
“The entry for these awards is demanding, requiring detailed information on not just what we deliver but the success and outcomes of our work. With so many truly excellent charities in the country, we recognise we face formidable competition.
“We are looking forward to meeting our peers, learning from what they do and celebrating the UK’s charity sector which does so much for communities across the UK and indeed the world.”
In recent years, Services For Education has significantly expanded its free services to support Birmingham school children as well as adults and disadvantaged groups.
In six-years, it has doubled its music ensembles in Birmingham to 113 - supporting 4,000 young musicians.
These ensembles have become integral to their school communities with regular performances at school events, assemblies, and celebrations - elevating the profile of music within schools, inspiring other students to participate and creating a culture where musical achievement is celebrated alongside academic and sporting success.
Matthew Nolan, chief executive of Civil Society Media which organises the Charity Awards, congratulated Services For Education on making the highly coveted shortlist.
“For a quarter of a century, the Charity Awards has been showcasing and celebrating the terrific work of UK charities large and small,” said Matthew.
“At a time when the charitable sector is struggling with higher costs, shrinking donations and ever-increasing demand for its work, it is reassuring and inspiring to see the extent and quality of charitable activity that is still going on across the country.
“We offer our heartfelt congratulations to all the charities on this year’s shortlist; we know that times are tough, and you should all be very proud of getting this far. We wish Services For Education the best of luck on the night.”
