Our annual Summer Runnings holiday programme has been one of several great moments in Tomorrow’s Warriors’ jam-packed Big Summer of Music. Powered by PPL UK and supporters of our Big Give Arts for Impact 2026 match funding campaign, we welcomed:
- 216 young people, who took part in
- 63 workshops, masterclasses, industry talks, surgeries and jam sessions
We hosted Summer Runnings at our creative home at the Southbank Centre in London, and our participants travelled from far and wide:
- 27 London boroughs
- 14 English counties beyond the capital across
- 5 English regions, and
- 1 international city
to immerse themselves in music, creativity and community.
Thanks to PPL UK’s and our Big Give donors’ generous support, we were thrilled to be able to scale Summer Runnings 2026 from last year’s 52 sessions attended by 151 participants from 22 London boroughs and 3 English regions.
54% of participants were new to Tomorrow’s Warriors, while 80% took part in multiple sessions across the 12 days, embracing opportunities to learn, collaborate and challenge themselves creatively.
What emerged was a vibrant, supportive and inspiring community.
This year’s programme reflected our long-held commitment to creating spaces where young people can develop both artistically and personally. Alongside an intensive schedule of musical activity, wellbeing and self-care remained central to the experience, with an on-site mental health practitioner on hand throughout the programme to support participants where needed.
The Summer Runnings community itself reflected the diversity of the young people we serve, with 63% Black and Global Majority participation and 37% female/non-binary students. The highest levels of overall participation came from Barnet, Lewisham, Southwark and Greenwich, highlighting the importance of the long-term relationships and pathways built through our outreach and engagement work.
But Summer Runnings has never been defined by numbers alone.
It’s defined by the conversations in- and outside of the sessions. The friendships formed over a jam. The confidence that comes from trying something new. The willingness of established artists to share their experience with those just beginning their journey. The Tomorrow’s Warriors ethos of ‘Each One, Teach One’.
This spirit was captured by drummer, composer and Tomorrow’s Warriors alumnus, Moses Boyd, making a welcome return following the success of his session last year:
“I had a packed room which was really exciting to see so much talent and enthusiasm to make music and be a musician. There was so much I wish I knew at their age, whether musical or about the business. I feel I want to pass that thing on. This is why I’m always giving up my time to help. I don’t want to ever feel too far out of their reach to help.”
This desire to pass on knowledge from one generation to the next runs through every strand of Summer Runnings, helping young musicians develop not only as artists, but also as future leaders, innovators and contributors to the wider music community.
For many participants, their experiences at Summer Runnings opened up entirely new possibilities.
One young musician reflected:
“It really allowed me to connect to a world of jazz which felt far away before.”
Another shared:
“I feel more confident to push myself and try things I wouldn’t have before.”
And for others, the fact that Summer Runnings remains free to access was transformational:
“As soon as something costs money it changes the whole environment. This was an example of how music is for everyone.”
These reflections are a powerful reminder of why free access matters, ensuring that passion, curiosity and commitment, rather than financial circumstance, shape who gets to take part.
Importantly, Summer Runnings doesn’t end when the workshops finish. For many young people, it marks the beginning of a longer relationship with Tomorrow’s Warriors. Following this year’s programme, at least 10% of participants have already been invited to join our core weekly development programme, taking the next step in their musical journey.
The sense of continuity resonated strongly with Ezra Collective trumpeter and Tomorrow’s Warriors alumnus, Ife Ogunjobi, who reflected:
“This has been vital because this is the next generation. They’re the ones that will go on to make their own music. These are going to be the next pioneers, the next innovators, the next musicians carrying the music forward, so it’s so beautiful for me to see the early stages of it and how brave these kids are at this age. Tomorrow’s Warriors made me who I am.”
The culmination of the programme came through two public performances at the Southbank Centre attended by more than 800 audience members. For participants, they offered the chance to showcase their work, celebrate their progress and experience the thrill of performing as part of a bigger creative community. For families and supporters, they offered a glimpse of everything that had been taking shape over twelve remarkable days.
Yet many of the most important moments happened away from the spotlight.
As drummer and composer Romarna Campbell observed:
“I loved witnessing so many young talents at the start of their journey, watching them having epiphanies and unlocking new ideas.”
Those moments of discovery are difficult to measure, but they are often the ones that matter most.
One parent shared a story that captures exactly why Summer Runnings is so important:
“My daughter was really nervous about coming as she didn’t know anyone. I asked her if she wanted to go and each morning she said yes. After the second time she came you remembered her name and that was really a turning point. I could see her confidence growing and she even began to hurry me along in the mornings to get there.”
The parent went on to explain:
“She is a young carer and for her music is something she can do without worrying about anything but the music. So, programmes like yours offer her a chance just to be a child without any responsibilities. Thank you for letting her have the opportunity to explore what the possibilities are and engage in the one thing I believe keeps her going.”
Stories like these remind us that Summer Runnings is about far more than workshops, performances and technical development. It’s about confidence. Belonging. Friendship. Inspiration. It’s about creating spaces where young people can explore who they are, discover what’s possible and imagine what could come next.
To every participant, tutor, artist, volunteer, and partner, thank you!
And once again, special thanks, too, to everyone who donated to our Big Give Arts For Impact match-funding campaign, and to PPL UK for the wonderful support that powered Summer Runnings 2026.
The final performances may be over, but the friendships, confidence, creativity and momentum built over twelve action-packed days will continue long after summer ends.
For many of the young people who joined us this year, the journey is only just beginning.