We were incredibly proud to take part in Angels’ Den 2026, an event organised by The Clare Foundation, which brings together charities from across Buckinghamshire to pitch their ideas to a group of ‘Angels’. The event took place at The Elgiva Theatre in Chesham, with £120,000 available through the Angels’ funding pot, alongside an Audience Fund. 

We were absolutely delighted to stand alongside Jane Cole from Red Balloon Aylesbury and share our vision for what this partnership could offer. After Rosie and Jane’s pitch came the fantastic news; £12,000 was awarded to Red Balloon Aylesbury and Chiltern Music Therapy!

Rosie, Director from Chiltern Music Therapy explains:

“I was incredibly proud to stand alongside Jane Cole at Red Balloon and share what music therapy can offer for young people who are missing from education due to complex needs and a lack of support. We are thrilled to have been awarded £12,000. This funding will help us offer young people a first point of connection where they can feel heard without having to find the words, creating a route back to trust, learning and hope. We’re enormously grateful to the Angels for believing in our partnership and in the difference this work can make.”

About Red Balloon Educational Trust

Abuse, mental health problems or life-long conditions are among the most common causes that lead young people to hide away and avoid school or sometimes society altogether. Red Balloon Educational Trust provides an alternative for young people who are unable to attend mainstream school because of experiences including bullying, trauma, mental health difficulties, neurodivergence and perhaps other complex needs. Its approach combines education with wellbeing and social re-engagement, helping young people rebuild confidence and reconnect with learning. Red Balloon Aylesbury provides a calm, homely environment where young people can feel welcome, while receiving education and support tailored to their individual circumstances.‍

Chiltern Music Therapy’s partnership with Red Balloon 

This award is also a wonderful example of what can happen when charities work together. Red Balloon brings its specialist educational and therapeutic environment for young people who have struggled to access mainstream education. At Chiltern Music Therapy, we bring specialist music therapy, using music to support individual therapeutic goals.

The funding will help us establish an in-centre music therapy service at Red Balloon Aylesbury, bringing music therapy directly to the young people who need it.

A music therapist can use this shared musical experience to build a therapeutic relationship at the young person's pace. Sessions can provide opportunities to explore emotions, develop communication and support regulation.

This is particularly valuable for young people who may have experienced repeated difficulties within education or other relationships. Before learning can happen, there often needs to be a sense of safety, trust and connection.

At Chiltern Music Therapy, we see music as a tool that can support communication, cognition and emotional wellbeing, with every session tailored to the individual.

At Red Balloon, wellbeing is already central to the educational approach. The organisation recognises that emotional and social support can be fundamental to a young person's ability to recover, learn and move forward. Bringing music therapy directly into the Centre means that this specialist support can become part of the young person's everyday environment.

Thank you

A huge thank you to The Clare Foundation for creating Angels’ Den and for bringing Buckinghamshire charities, philanthropists and supporters together around ideas that can make a massive difference. We also want to say a huge heartfelt thank you to the Angels who contributed to the funding and who believed in our partnership.

Angels’ Den creates an opportunity for charities to share their ideas, build relationships and find people who believe in what they are trying to achieve. We are enormously grateful to have been part of that community this year and most importantly, we are excited about what comes next!