Take it away is a new Arts Council initiative designed to help more people get involved in learning and playing music. The scheme allows individuals to apply for a loan of up to £2,000 for the purchase of any kind of musical instrument, and pay it back in nine monthly instalments, completely interest free.
Following the success of a six month pilot in the South East region during 2006, the scheme is now being rolled out nationally through a network of 100 outlets across England. Take it away is open to everyone (over the age of 18), but primarily designed to help those who might otherwise be unable to afford an instrument appropriate for their needs.
Priorities are:
- to encourage children and young people to develop their interests and skills in music making
- to inspire new players of all ages to begin learning an instrument
- to enable those on lower incomes to acquire an instrument appropriate to their needs (or the needs of their children)
Customers using the scheme to buy a new instrument may include peripheral items such as amplifiers, music stands, sheet music and sometime tuition as part of their loan to help manage these costs too.

http://www.takeitaway.org.uk