Ensemble is an award-winning project which empowers young people to take part in music making and other creative activities.

Developed by Wheatley Care, Ensemble works with young people who have experienced homelessness, mental health issues, or other challenges and helps transform their lives through creating original music with support from professional musicians.

It was designed in consultation with young people receiving support from Wheatley Care. It has grown over the years in response to the participants needs and wants.

Since launching in 2016, young people taking part have had their music performed live on stage, including at Social Bites Worlds Big Sleep Out in Edinburgh and a sold-out gig at St. Lukes in Glasgow, as well as having their songs played on national radio.

In April 2021, those involved in Ensemble released their debut album No Place Like It, a celebratory collection of songs about home and community. The album was recorded in Chem 19 Studios, in Blantyre, allowing the young people to follow in the footsteps of iconic Scottish acts like Calvin Harris, Franz Ferdinand, Mogwai and Deacon Blue who have all recorded in the same studio.

In the coming weeks, the group will be recording demos as they work on a follow-up to their debut album and on Sunday 26 February 2023, will return to Glasgow's St Lukes, the site of a previously sold-out gig.

Ensemble participants have not only improved their musical and creative skills but have also grown in confidence and become more resilient. The project acts as a pathway to education, training, volunteering, and employment, building the skills and realising the potential of young people who engage with the project.