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

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.

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 wants people to take music in schools seriously. The British singer-songwriter has set up a foundation to ensure that kids in the U.K. get access to “high-quality” music education. Sheeran started writing songs from a young age,

Ed Sheeran visits schools and youth groups in Cardiff to launch his new foundation, which aims to support access to music education in the U.K. and prove that music is a valid career path.