Ed Sheeran is taking his love for music education to a new level, launching a foundation to ensure that children in the United Kingdom have access to high-quality music education. This initiative is close to the singer-songwriter's heart,

Sheeran started writing songs from a young age, after encouragement from a teacher, and says he wants to help plug the gap left by reduced arts funding. To support the launch of the foundation, the Grammy-winner is visiting schools and youth groups in Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh and Belfast.

The singer said in a video that he launched the fund after hearing about the poor state of music education in the U.K. from one of his former teachers.

Ed Sheeran has pledged financial support to three music organisations in Belfast, which he visited on Friday. The pop superstar met young people and teachers during his trip, as part of the launch of his new charitable foundation, which supports the teaching of music in schools and other sectors.

Singer Ed Sheeran has launched a foundation in his name to support music education in the UK. The Ed Sheeran Foundation will aim to provide inclusive music education and has already supported 18 grassroots music education organisations and state school music departments across the country.

The Ed Sheeran Foundation will advocate for greater access and funding to be devoted to young people learning instruments, having studio time, and training in all sectors of the music industry

Ed Sheeran visited music organisations in Belfast alongside Snow Patrol star Gary Lightbody.