Award-winning Leeds organisation Come Play With Me have officially launched their LGBTQ+ inclusion and consultancy service for organisations and companies in the music, culture and events space. Following their success in providing services and training to organisations including PRS Foundation, Sony Music Entertainment and Youth Music, CPWM have formalised their offer and opened up their books in the hopes of delivering this crucial support as widely as possible.
Credit: Andrew Benge
As specialists in the field, CPWM have been working with numerous leading organisations and companies via a series of LGBTQ+ inclusion workshops and speaking engagements. These sessions are open learning spaces; creating environments both online and in person, where attendees can ask questions, learn new skills and share their own knowledge and experiences with each other. Sessions are interactive and full of exercises, facilitated conversations, and action planning that helps attendees move their organisation or project forward. CPWM’s collaborative approach means they discuss session plans with clients in advance and tailor every session specifically to the needs of each organisation.
Come Play With Me have opened up limited booking opportunities as well as free, thirty-minute consultations which are available to book here.
Alongside this new service, Come Play With Me will continue their long-running work with the Musicians Union on supporting LGBTQ+ musicians as they navigate their careers, building on the findings from the LGBTQ+ Musicians’ Insights report published alongside Help Musicians in February 2024. More details can be found here. Come Play With Me has also created an LGBTQ+ Industry Research Group with representation from the Musicians Union, The University of Edinburgh, The University of Leeds, Ivors Academy, Youth Music, The MMF and more.
Today’s announcement follows the organisation’s nomination for the Charity or Community Initiative at this year’s prestigious British LGBT Awards. An award that recognises a community initiative, campaign, non-profit business or charity that actively supports the improvement of the lives of the LGBTQ+ community, CPWM have been nominated for their dedication to “supporting people from marginalised communities to further their careers in music – especially those experiencing barriers due to sexual identity and/or gender identity.”
A multi-faceted organisation working with artists and music industry professionals at all stages of their career, Come Play With Me recently hosted their biggest ever I Know A Place conference at Leeds City Museum. A day of panels, workshops, networking opportunities and more, the long-running event is a key part of Come Play With Me’s mission to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in the music world by creating safe spaces for underrepresented communities to come together, learn, and amplify their voices.
As well as hosting I Know A Place, Come Play With Me Records have also recently launched a new artist support programme – ‘Next Up North’. Streamlining the label and CIC’s long-running compilation series, singles club and other programmes, Next Up North will support artists in a more holistic way for a longer period of time. CPWM along with partners including Arts Council England, Breed Media, Crowdable, Eiger Studios, GLOW Artists, Tileyard North and un:hurd music have selected six artists who will now receive a package of support including single and EP releases via CPWM / EMI North, studio time, PR support, live opportunities, artist development workshops and more, as well as inclusion on a Next Up North Class of 2025 Compilation vinyl at the end of 2025. More details can be found here.
To vote for CPWM in the LGBT Awards: Charity Or Community Initiative Award, please visit https://britishlgbtawards.com/
For more information on CPWM as well as their upcoming events and releases here: https://www.cpwm.co/
CPWM receives funding from Arts Council England, Youth Music, PRS Foundation, Leeds City Council, Groundwork UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Wharfedale Foundation.
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Antonia Lines – COO, CPWM said:
“We’re delighted to be officially offering LGBTQ inclusion workshops and consultancy to other creative organisations, as part of our mission to make the sector a more equitable, inclusive and diverse place. As the world keeps turning, marginalised people continue to bear the brunt of negative changes to policy and legislation. Music and performance is how people tell their individual stories and make their voices heard, so if you’re working in an arts and culture setting, thinking about inclusivity in your work and projects is more important than ever. We’d love to help turn your conversations into actions!”
Fega Ibodje, Diversity & Inclusion Co-ordinator – Sony Music Entertainment said:
“The CPWM session was both engaging and informative, with participants thoroughly enjoying the experience. The interactive format—featuring open discussions and role-playing exercises—offered valuable insights into workplace transitions. Antonia was exceptional, demonstrating deep expertise in the subject and making a serious topic accessible and approachable. Overall, attendees left feeling more informed and equipped with practical skills to support their colleagues effectively.”
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