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ABOUT US - Hybrid 3
Hybrid 3
Create, Engage, Learn
Hybrid 3 is a youth-led creative organisation providing high-quality music, sound and storytelling opportunities for young people and adults. We work particularly with those facing barriers to access, supporting them to develop their voice, improve wellbeing, and access pathways into creativity, education and employment.
Hybrid 3's Core Values
Our Mission
Our mission is to increase access to high-quality creative opportunities; using sound and music to encourage expression and improve wellbeing.
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We combine professional creative practice with inclusive programmes,
enabling people of all ages (particularly those facing accessibility barriers) to develop their voice, build confidence, and engage in meaningful experiences.
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Our work is rooted in the creative industries, creating pathways from first engagement through to skills development, artistic output and progression into education and employment.
Our Creative Approach
We are committed to delivering work that is both accessible and artistically ambitious, contributing to a more inclusive and representative creative sector.
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Working alongside professional artists, producers and facilitators to develop original work, our high-quality, youth-led creative practice is centred around music, sound and storytelling.
We support participants to move beyond access into active creation. Through co-creation, participants shape the work they produce, ensuring that diverse voices are represented and reflected in contemporary culture.​​
Our Impact
We create meaningful and measurable change through creativity.
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Our work supports young people and adults to:
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Build confidence and self-expression
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Develop creative and technical skills
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Improve wellbeing and reduce isolation
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Access new opportunities in education, employment and creative practice
We prioritise those who face barriers to access, ensuring that creativity becomes a tool for connection, development and long-term change.
Who We Support
We work with a wide range of individuals and communities, with a focus on those who face the greatest barriers to participation.
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This includes:
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Young people experiencing disadvantage or exclusion
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Individuals with learning disabilities
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People facing mental health challenges
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Those affected by poverty, homelessness or displacement
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Individuals excluded from education or at risk of disengagement
Our work is designed to be inclusive, accessible and responsive to individual needs.
Our Audience Approach
We are committed to developing and engaging with a diverse and inclusive audience, so that our work reaches the wider public as well as our participants.
Our approach focuses on:
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Removing barriers to access, including cost, confidence and prior experience
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Targeted outreach to underrepresented and underserved communities
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Building long-term relationships with participants, audiences and partners
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Creating public-facing opportunities, including performances, showcases and events
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Supporting progression from participation into active cultural engagement
We aim not only to engage participants, but to develop active audiences who connect with and contribute to creative work.
Pathways & Progression
We provide clear and supported pathways for progression.
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Participants can move through our programmes from:
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First engagement and open access activity
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Structured learning and skills development
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Creative output (recording, performance, production)
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Progression into education, employment or creative practice
By connecting community programmes with professional facilities and industry experience, we create opportunities that are both inclusive and aspirational.
Health & Wellbeing
We recognise the vital role that creativity, community and self expression plays in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
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Our programmes provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals can:
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Build confidence
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Reduce isolation
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Express themselves creatively
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Develop a sense of belonging
We are committed to being a mental health-aware organisation, ensuring our work supports both creative and personal development.
Our Work
We offer a range of creative services and programmes, including:
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Recording, mixing and mastering production services
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Rehearsal spaces
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Music education and workshops
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Live and electronic music activity
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Community and youth programmes
A key part of our work is StoryBombs, an inclusive programme where participants create original audio and radio content. This programme prioritises those who face the greatest barriers to access and provides a powerful platform for storytelling and creative expression.
Our Commitment to Quality
We are committed to delivering work of high artistic and professional quality.
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Our team is made up of experienced creative practitioners working in music, audio production, writing and facilitation. We ensure that all participants, regardless of background or experience, have access to professional environments, equipment and support.
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We continuously reflect on and improve our practice to ensure our work meets both artistic standards and community need.
Partnerships & Collaboration
We work in partnership with organisations across the cultural, education and community sectors to extend our reach and impact.
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Our partnerships enable us to:
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Reach new communities
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Deliver high-quality programmes
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Create joined-up pathways for participants
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Contribute to the wider cultural and community ecosystem
Governance
Hybrid 3 is governed by an independent Board of Directors who provide strategic oversight, financial accountability and safeguarding leadership.
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The board meets quarterly and brings together expertise across youth work, arts, finance, community development and business. They work closely with the leadership team to support long-term planning, organisational resilience and high standards of delivery.
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Safeguarding and wellbeing are central to our governance, meaning that all activity is delivered in a safe and inclusive environment.
Our Values
Our work is guided by a clear set of values that shape how we operate every day:
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Safe & Supportive – We create environments where people feel secure and valued
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Accountable & Responsible – We take ownership of our work and actions
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Nurturing – We support growth and development at every stage
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Mental Health Aware – We prioritise wellbeing and understanding
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Enabling – We create opportunities and remove accessibility barriers
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Constructive Challenge – We encourage respectful feedback and improvement
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Consistency & Professionalism – We deliver high-quality work and reliability
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Collaboration & Ambition – We work together to create meaningful impact
Safeguarding, Policies & Compliance
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, professionalism and ethical practice.
We operate a comprehensive set of policies, including:
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Safeguarding and Child Protection
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Health & Safety
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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
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GDPR and Data Protection
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AI and Digital Ethics
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Code of Conduct
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Risk Management
All staff are trained appropriately, and our policies are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective and up to date.
Our Future
We are currently developing plans for Sound Works, a new creative hub that will expand our impact and reach.
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This project is in the research and development phase and will bring together:
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Creative production
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Education and training
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Public engagement
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Youth employment opportunities
Sound Works will enable us to support more people, deliver more ambitious work, and create a sustainable model that connects community access with the wider creative economy.
Work With Us
We welcome partnerships with organisations, funders and supporters who share our commitment to creativity, inclusion and opportunity.
If you are interested in working with us, supporting our programmes, or developing a partnership, we would love to hear from you.
Meet the Team
Matt Ritchie
Founder & Creative Lead
Matt is Managing Director of Hybrid 3. Since its founding in 2015, Hybrid has evolved alongside Matt’s strong vision for accessible, community-driven spaces.
With his background in music and grassroots arts development, Matt’s creative direction prioritises the sustainability of inclusive opportunities for all.
Meet the Team
Matt Ritchie
Founder & Creative Lead
Matt is Managing Director of Hybrid 3. Since its founding in 2015, Hybrid has evolved alongside Matt’s strong vision for accessible, community-driven spaces.
With his background in music and grassroots arts development, Matt’s creative direction prioritises the sustainability of inclusive opportunities for all.
Johnny Keating
Lead Producer
Johnny oversees all production output at Hybrid 3 as Lead Producer. With 20+ years of experience as an artist, and over a decade of experience as a producer, he is an expert in studio production.
Johnny brings his songwriting, performance, and arrangement experience to studio sessions, supporting artists from concept through to completion, helping them achieve professional results while nurturing their creative voice.
Monique Grimwade
Marketing & Communications Manager
Monique leads Hybrid 3’s Marketing and Communications. Her background in journalism and as a working artist offers a unique insight on Hybrid’s audience and how to connect with them.
As well as promoting Hybrid’s services, her work focuses on strengthening community connections and championing the studio’s open access opportunities.
Emily Hearne
Workshop Consultant & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Emily supports the design and delivery of workshops while acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead. Qualified in Mental Health First Aid Level 2 Emily has a strong focus on improving mental health and wellbeing for team members and participants .
She brings a strong understanding of participant engagement and safeguarding practices, helping maintain high standards across all programmes.
Her consultancy role ensures continuous improvement in reach and impact with our youth work.
Aidan O'Reilly
Project Manager and Systems Consultant
Aidan oversees delivery on all operations at Hybrid 3, streamlining internal processes and strengthening the organisation’s impact.
His expertise in project management supports the team and our clients by promoting an environment of efficiency and accountability.
Qualified in Mental Health First Aid Level 2 His practice is rooted in an understanding of how to create an environment which prioritises the team’s mental health and wellbeing.
Natasha Wood
Workshop Facilitator & Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Natasha delivers workshops across a range of creative disciplines while also serving as Hybrid 3’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Her training in music therapy and SEN education helps to ensure all sessions are inclusive, engaging, and safe, with a strong emphasis on participant wellbeing.
Her work is central to creating a supportive environment for young people and emerging artists.
Governance Board
Olivia Bliss
Chair of the Board
Strategy & Impact Director
Fundraising Director
Olivia leads the development of Hybrid 3’s creative programmes, curating workshops, events, and accessible projects that reflect the organisation’s values.
She ensures programming is innovative, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.
Governance Board
Olivia Bliss
Chair of the Board
Strategy & Impact Director
Fundraising Director
Olivia leads the development of Hybrid 3’s creative programmes, curating workshops, events, and accessible projects that reflect the organisation’s values.
She ensures programming is innovative, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.
Mark Hilton
Finance Lead & Capital Projects Lead​
Mark oversees Hybrid 3’s financial management, ensuring strong governance and sustainability.
As an experienced financial and charity management professional with over 35 years of experience, his expertise provides oversight to support responsible and sustainable growth.
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Katelyn McKeown
Safeguarding & Compliance Director
Katelyn is responsible for overseeing safeguarding and compliance, helping ensure Hybrid 3 operates with integrity, accountability, and the highest standards of care.
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She makes sure the team is up-to-date on Hybrid's regulatory compliance, safeguarding frameworks and governance to protect both the people we serve and the organisation as a whole.
Al McGregor
Director of Creative Audio & Artistic Innovation ​
Alisdair has specialised in audio production for nearly 30 years working extensively for BBC Radio Drama and within the independent sector.
He supports Hybrid 3 as an audio production consultant, bringing his industry expertise to the planning and production of Storybombs audio projects.
His goal is to encourage a widespread appreciation and realisation of the potential of sound as a major force in narrative storytelling.
Nicole Jewitt
Partnerships & External Relations Lead
Nicole Jewitt is a Sheffield-based events producer with over 25 years’ experience in the music industry.
She is passionate about supporting grassroots music, emerging talent and inclusive community-led cultural projects. At Hybrid, she leads on building musical partnerships and collaborative opportunities.
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