The Ffion Miles Music Bursary is an annual award kindly set up by Helen and Dewi Miles in memory of their daughter Ffion, who was a long-time member, supporter, and trustee of CHECT. The bursary ensures Ffion’s own love of music continues through other CHECT members.
For the first time, we have an all-male line-up as recipients of the Ffion Miles Music Bursary this year! As always, we had many brilliant applications and faced the difficult task of shortlisting the final few. Thanks to the continued generosity of Helen and Dewi, we were able to make more awards than usual this year. Here is a little about our four recipients for 2025:
“I just like playing piano. When I’m playing, I feel free. I feel calm as well and excited to learn. Thank you for the piano lesson money! It’s made me really happy!”
— Joel Coupe, age 9
James’ mum says:
“James loves playing percussion in the Wantage Silver Band’s beginners’ section and hopes to progress and continue to improve his skills. He also attends an after-school drumming club. James is so grateful to be one of the lucky people to receive the bursary funding this year and will be putting the money towards drumming lessons and his Band membership, where he hopes to progress someday to training band.”
— James Jenkins, age 12
“I’ve been playing drums for over 40 years now, and a couple of years ago joined a multicultural band where, rather than playing a traditional Western drumkit, I was playing a borrowed darbuka drum. With this grant, I have been able to buy my own darbuka, which is better suited to the blend of Eastern and Western folk music we play. You can find more about our band at www.panedeni.com.”
— John Ramm, adult
Theo’s mum says:
“Theo absolutely loves music, despite having a mild hearing impairment caused by the chemo he received as a baby. He has been wanting to learn an instrument like the piano since he saw his older brother having some lessons and has taught himself so far from a piano book. We’re really excited to see where his music lessons will take him.”
— Theo Webster, age 6
You could be the next bursary winner!
In honour of Ffion’s love of music, we are pleased to announce the return of the Ffion Miles Music Bursary, open to all CHECT members, regardless of age, for 2026.
The bursary, awarded annually, can be used to support any musical pursuit. This may include musical training, music therapy, event attendance and travel, the purchase or loan of instruments, music software, or anything else that nurtures a love for music.
If you or your child is a CHECT member and would like to apply for the bursary, please email support@chect.org.uk and explain your (or your child’s) experience with Rb, your (or your child’s) interest in music, how you would use the £1,000 bursary, and the difference it would make. The recipient will be selected by the CHECT Board of Trustees. Applications must be submitted by 30 April 2026.
If you have applied previously but not been successful, you are welcome to reapply.