ABF DLA Creative Trust is a grassroots creative development initiative founded by DLA to mentor, rehabilitate and empower emerging talent across music, media and the wider creative industries.

What began as personal care and creative rehabilitation following a life-altering stroke in 2017 has grown into a structured mentorship ecosystem supporting young people many from underrepresented, neurodivergent or complex backgrounds to access, sustain and thrive within the creative sector.

Our Origin

The Trust was shaped through hands-on rehabilitation work supporting a prominent DJ and radio presenter after a severe stroke resulting in aphasia, brain injury and mobility challenges. Through coordinated speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and creative re-engagement — much of it personally facilitated we have helped orchestrate a return to broadcasting and public life.

This journey culminated in national recognition, including honours at the MOBO Awards, features in Forbes Magazine, the Cuba Awards, and a Stroke Association cover feature.

From that experience came a core belief:

Creativity is not just art. It is recovery, identity, access and restoration.

Our Work

For over a decade, ABF Creative Trust has provided sustained, hands-on mentorship to young creatives aged 17+, including:

• Music production, songwriting and choreography training
• Video editing and digital content development
• Industry rights education (Musicians’ Union, PPL, PRS guidance)
• Studio access and structured creative programming
• Safe transportation and supervised event access
• Career strategy and brand development
• Confidence-building and emotional support

The Trust has supported more than 50 young creatives, including:

• A four-member group achieving over 3.5 billion online views
• Artists amassing millions of streams across global platforms
• Young people with ADHD balancing school and creative careers
• Autistic musicians establishing professional platforms
• Young men and women navigating bipolar disorder and autism gaining confidence through music
• Additional cohorts of boys accessing consistent mentorship, studio time and structured development

Participants have also used their platforms for social impact, collaborating with organisations such as ACLT and the Anthony Nolan Trust to raise awareness and community engagement.

Our Model

ABF Creative Trust has historically operated through self-funded commitment, industry networks, studio resources and daily presence.

Its work is built on three pillars:

Access – Opening doors to creative spaces often inaccessible to young people without networks.
Development – Teaching practical, creative and business skills necessary for long-term sustainability.
Stability – Providing consistent mentorship, safeguarding and guidance during formative years.

Why Formalise Now

After years of operating informally alongside existing business commitments, the Trust is moving towards formal recognition to:

• Protect young participants through clearer safeguarding structures
• Separate commercial and community activity
• Access sustainable funding streams
• Expand support responsibly and ethically
• Build long-term institutional credibility

ABF Creative Trust exists to transform lived experience, creative excellence and care into structured pathways for young talent ensuring that access to opportunity is not limited by circumstance.

This initiative has been built:

• Without grant funding
• Without salary
• Without formal infrastructure

It has produced measurable cultural and digital impact, sustained youth development, and tangible recovery outcomes. Contact for more info: mentoring@dlaworld.com