The Foundation team recently had the honour of visiting Loud n Proud, a vibrant and inclusive charity based in Scotland that we’ve proudly supported through two meaningful grants. This visit gave us the opportunity to witness first hand the charity’s extraordinary work in nurturing creativity and community through music, film, and podcasting.
Founded nearly 25 years ago by Tommy McGrory, Loud n Proud has grown into a creative sanctuary where people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels can explore their talents. Whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or looking to step onto the stage, Loud n Proud is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space that helps individuals grow in confidence, connect through the arts, and build valuable skills for the future. Some participants are fortunate to be able to pay for their lessons and the charity rents out studios to make some further revenue but apart from this and the grants they receive, the charity has no regular income. Despite this, they continue opening their doors to the disadvantaged, to ensure they get the same opportunities as those around them.
Reflecting on the charity’s beginnings, Tommy shared the inspiring and unexpected journey behind its creation:
“After being unhappy in my job, I left to set up a marching band as a charity. After some disappointment in getting funding, it was time to think about chucking it. I got a phone call from a man who was looking for guitar lessons for his son. I was just about to say no when my son’s friend said, ‘I’ll teach him. From that first student, many more turned up and overnight we became a School of Rock. Sometimes the best things are not planned.”
As Loud n Proud approaches its 25th anniversary, it finds itself at another turning point. Following a devastating fire that rendered much of their building unusable, the team has worked tirelessly to rebuild. Thanks to local supporter, Gary Kerr, who has recently kindly gifted them building and with the help of local craftsmen and incredible community support, the premises have undergone a remarkable transformation. Now, with a renewed sense of purpose and energy, the charity is looking forward to the official opening of their revitalised space.
The Foundation has supported Loud n Proud with two grants. The first, awarded in January 2024, provided £1,462.00 to fund essential studio equipment, including microphones, stands, and Sennheiser sound-mixing headphones. The second grant, awarded in March 2025 and totalling £7,372.00, enabled Loud n Proud to equip their new recording studio with a full suite of filmmaking and audio gear. This included a cinema pocket camera, video monitor, camera cage kit, gimbal, battery pack, art lens, shotgun microphone, hard drives, and SD cards. This investment has significantly boosted the charity’s creative capabilities, providing an accessible, professional learning space for aspiring filmmakers, podcasters, and content creators. Some of this new equipment is already being put to exciting use, including in the filming of a Netflix documentary currently underway at the studio.
In addition to support from the Foundation, Tommy noted that Loud n Proud has also received funding from the National Lottery, further helping to secure their future and broaden their reach.
And as if the visit wasn’t inspiring enough, we were treated to a special moment, meeting the Bay City Rollers as they prepared for a studio session on site. It was a fitting snapshot of the vibrant energy and creative magic that defines Loud n Proud.
We’re proud to stand alongside this incredible organisation as they continue to empower people through the arts and inspire the next generation of talent.
