About Life Music Foundation

About the Life Music Foundation

Background:

The Life Music foundation, registered charity 1130307 have a number of charitable and social aims.
The primary aim is to fund and develop the music skills of young disadvantaged people who have no means to pay for a fund this development themselves.


Soon we want to be able to offer young people the chance to get together and rehearse and record music in our studios.


The charity also pays for and organises special music lessons for youngsters who are keen to further their music education and will pay for music exams if relevant.


The foundation will also look to fund music school scholarships for any talented musicians from a disadvantaged background. The charity not only furthers education but also looks to serve as a significant benefit to the local community and especially the disadvantage young people from the local community.


The hub of the charity and the base of the work the chairty aims to carry out, will be at an industrial space in Newport which will comprise of offices and a number of sound proofed studios which will be equipped with musical instruments and recording equipment. The rooms will be used by disadvantaged youngsters to help harness their music talants and to help develop their music education, with the assistance of specially qualified Life Music Foundation staff.

Community Benefits:

• To get kids off the street
• To help disadvantaged youths help try and change their lifestyle through music and sport education
• To further the music education of local people
• To produce talented musicians and bands from local talent
• To provide funds and equipment for schools and children’s homes
• To offer grants and bursaries to talented youngsters

Life Music Foundation Aims:

To enhance disadvantaged young people’s lives through the medium of music and sport. To further educate local children and to provide significant benefits to the surrounding communities.

Key Objects:

(1) To advance the education of disadvantaged young people in the subject of music
by providing and assisting in the provision of free music lessons, providing studio space and recording equipment, the free use of musical instruments and to provide bursaries to stage schools for talented young people who could not afford to pay for the opportunity themselves.
(2) To advance in life and help young people through:
(a) The provision of musical activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life.
(b) Providing support, teaching and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals and to give them a new focus in life. Providing musical facilities and education in the interests of social welfare for people living Newport and Gwent who have need by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, poverty or social and economic circumstances with a view to improving the conditions of life of such persons.

For more information or to make a donation or contribution to The Life Music Foundation (Registered Charity 1130307) or one of our upcming events please visit www.lifemusicfoundation.org/

Our People

Gareth Thomas – President

Gareth, known as Alfie, is a former Welsh Rugby Union star (former captain) who has also played Rugby League in the Super League and at international level. He is one of the most decorated rugby players the world has ever seen and has captained both Wales and the British Lions in New Zealand.
Since retiring from professional sport, Gareth has become a high profile figure in the media world through his successful appearance on Celebrity Big Brother and through his tireless work for charities. Gareth was introduced to Dan and Clayton through a mutual friend and soon discovered that their wish to launch a project to help local youngsters was very much in keeping with his own desire to help disadvantaged youngsters, and so the Life Music Foundation was born.
Gareth is President and Patron of Life Music Foundation and through his hard work and drive will take Life Music Foundation to the next level, helping even more disadvantaged children achieve their dreams through music.

Daniel O’Connell

Daniel O’Connell first envisaged the concept of The Life Music Foundation and co-founded it with childhood friend Clayton Richards. He currently sits on it’s board as Chairman of Trustees as well as Chairman of the Bursaries Committee. He helps to organise large Life Music Foundation events and is responsible for the negotiation between the charity and some of it’s high profile business contacts. He is a qualified Stockbroker and is Managing Director of The Kymin Partnership Ltd, the company that operates Redmayne-Bentley Stockbrokers in Newport. He has many years experience in the Financial Services industry and often appears on BBC television and Radio to give analysis on stockmarkets and the economy. Daniel was born and brought up in Newport and is passionate about trying to improve the community that he grew up in. He is hugely committed to the aims of the foundation and carries out a number of fundraising projects on behalf of the charity. Daniel is a married father of two and is based in Newport.

Clayton Richards

Clayton Richards co-founded Life Music Foundation along with Daniel O’Connell. After leaving Newport for London at 20, he brings 12 years experience of working in the investment banking sector in both the city and Canary Wharf. A local boy at heart he comes to the charity after returning to Newport for a fresh challenge. As CEO he is responsible for running the charity on a day to day basis, managing the shop at 35 Upper Dock St, and organising gigs and events which the charity is involved with. He is also the fundraising manager, responsible for approaching external bodies in order to apply for grants, organising bucket collections or obtaining items of value for the charity. He also arranges the many music lessons that the charity provides to local youngsters. He is also responsible for running the Life Music Foundation website on a day to day basis.

Craig Reid



Craig is a professional footballer with Stevenage FC and formerly of with Newport County. He was the club’s star striker and fan’s favourite with 24 league goals to his name last season culminating with him being awarded the Blue Square South Player of the year, although he now operates in League 1. Craig is a keen musician with a talent for the drums and is hugely committed to the aims of the charity. Craig is keen to put something back into the community and carries out a number of valuable projects for the charity. Craig is an Official Ambassador to the Life Music Foundation.

Gary Morgan

Gary Morgan is a corporate supporter of the charity – his company CreareWebsite Design are noted as one of the most forward thinking and innovative web services companies in the UK. Gary is a huge lover of music – he has a massive record collection and is hugely interested in the aims and objectives of our charity. Gary has given enormous support to the charity both personally and professionally. Gary intends to be an active supporter at all future events, and would like to think that his son William will be the next big thing – well in 10 years time.

John Allison

John is an Equity Partner at one of Wales top law firmd. Harding Evans LLP. John has been a supporter of the charity since its inception and has played a vital role in terms of helping the charity with its corporate governance and structure. As a hugely repsected legal professional both in Wales and beyond, John’s presence on the board of trustees gives the charity added strength and professionalism as the charity continues with its rapid growth.

Alison Watkins



Alison Watkins provides PR support to the charity and has worked with the team since its luanch, helping to generate publicity to raise its profile. She is an award winning journalist and experienced PR professional with more than 15 years experience in her field. She is the founder of AW Communications, a leading PR firm in the public, private and charity sector. As a local girl who began her career at the South Wales Argus, she is an enthusiastic supporter of Life Music Foundation.

Derwyn Jones

Derwyn Jones is a former Wales rugby international, who is also a Trustee of the Wales Air Ambulance charity. He has 18 caps for Wales and is regularly seen on TV as commentator and studio analyst for S4C’s rugby coverage. Derwyn runs a very successful Sports Management Agency as well as being Business Development Director for a Commercial Insurance company and a Non Executive Director for a leading financial services company. Derwyn brings to the foundation a wealth of contacts and experience and carries out a number of fundraising and public relations projects for the charity. Derwyn is a married father of 3 and is based in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

Corporate Supporters
Redmayne-Bentley Stockbrokers



Established in 1875, Redmayne-Bentley is one of the UK’s largest independent stockbrokers. The Firm is a member of the London Stock Exchange and the Association of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers and is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Our branch in Newport is our first branch in Wales and offers Instant Sharedealing and comprehensive portfolio management. www.redmayne.co.uk/newport

Kymin Financial Services



Kymin are one of Wales’ leading Independent Financial Advisory firms. Long established in Newport and South Wales, the firm specialise in Corporate Pensions Schemes and Inheritance Tax planning as well as all other areas of financial services.