Drywave

Founded during the Coronavirus pandemic, Drywave creates safe, sober spaces through music events, podcasts, and creative training programs. At its core is a mission to empower young people by offering technical skills, recovery coaching, and hands-on experience in the creative industries. Through these opportunities, Drywave helps build confidence, resilience, and meaningful pathways toward employment and self-expression.

What will the Kao SEED Fund support?

Support from the Kao SEED Fund will go towards the delivery of Beatz & Beyond, a new 24-week programme based at the Culture Lab in Central Stockport. The project will engage up to 40 vulnerable young people over one year, providing around 20 hours of weekly support per participant. This includes small group and one-to-one sessions covering music production and DJing, career mentoring, events-based work experience, employability training, and holistic support from recovery and wellness coaches. The programme will also help young people access further opportunities in education, employment, and local enterprise.

Who is the project helping support?

Drywave supports vulnerable young people aged 16–24 in Stockport, with a particular focus on those who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).

It prioritises young people facing significant barriers, including challenging family environments, mental health difficulties, experiences of the care system or youth justice, poverty, neurodivergence, and the risk of substance misuse.

Stockport, like many communities, is navigating complex social and economic challenges that affect young people’s wellbeing and future prospects. This project plays an important role in creating safe, supportive pathways to stability, confidence, and opportunity.

Find out more:

DryWave | Sober Experiences with Music and Visual Arts

DryWave Events | Manchester | Facebook

Profile / X