Building for the future of The Bunker

Established in 1982, The Bunker is a community music facility based in Sunderland, the longest-running music project of its kind, set up and run by young people for young people. 

The building houses 17 music studios, providing a base and space to develop for thousands of local bands, artists or any budding musicians of all ages, every year. It is the only place in the City, where people can learn, rehearse, record and perform all in one place.

The Bunker has a proud tradition of utilising its professional facilities and trained staff members’ skills to develop our community and improve well-being through music and arts.

Every week, we run music projects for groups of local people, both young people and adults, all in need of support, including many people with additional needs, with physical or mental health issues, the unemployed, or those suffering with social, emotional or financial hardship issues. 

We also work with partner organisations to provide free and discounted 1-1 music tuition, advice and support for hundreds of local people in need, each year. There is now a continuing rise in demand for our services from people who face barriers to accessing creative activities.

As we look to the long term future, our heritage building needs to be safe and secure for use by our Community for many years to come. The first stage is a new roof so that the 17 studios are weatherproof, dry, warm and comfortable. We even hope to be able to use our roof space for events and outdoor activities.

This will be followed by a project to support our sustainability, with energy efficiency improvements including solar panels, insulation and low energy fittings.
We will involve our community in this project from start to finish, to get their input, ideas, feedback and to help promote the project aims and objectives.