Youth-Led Initiatives

As well as providing an opportunity to reflect and connect over youth voice practice, we’ll be spotlighting some dynamic youth-focused organisations from across the UK who are rewriting what meaningful youth participation can look like. Each brings a fresh, creative and community-rooted approach to supporting young people.

You’ll hear from:

• AMP Music (formerly NYMAZ) – A North Yorkshire-based youth music development charity championing the transformative potential of music for children and young people
• The Agency of Change – A national charity working primarily with young people aged 16-25 from underserved communities to design and deliver social impact projects rooted in lived experience
• Small Green Shoots – A small but mighty National Portfolio Organisation, dedicated to increasing career opportunities for underrepresented Young Adults who want a career within the music and creative industries.

Book your ticket here.

What to expect:

This two-hour session will bring together practitioners, organisations and young people for an inspiring, practical and energising conversation about youth voice in action. During the event, you will: 

• Hear from organisations across the UK implementing exciting and effective youth voice initiatives  

• Learn directly from young people about their experiences and the real world impact of youth voice in action  

• Explore best practices and approaches for embedding youth voice in different settings  

• Take part in a supportive space to ask questions, share your own experiences or models of practice, and connect with like-minded individuals and organisations 

Each organisation will deliver a short presentation, offering reflections, strategies and on-the-ground examples you can apply to your own work followed by a Q&A. 

This session has been cocreated with Sound Connections’ Trainee Associate, Mwathi, who says;

About the Guest Organisations:

AMP:
A national charity working primarily with young people aged 15–25 from underserved communities across the UK and Northern Ireland. The Agency supports young people to design and lead social-impact projects grounded in lived experience, creativity and community leadership. 

The Agency of Change:
The Agency of Change is a national charity that champions creativity as a catalyst for leadership, opportunity and systemic change. They primarily work with young people aged 15–25 from underserved communities across the UK and Northern Ireland, helping them design and deliver social impact projects rooted in lived experience.

Small Green Shoots:
The Agency of Change is a national charity that champions creativity as a catalyst for leadership, opportunity and systemic change. They primarily work with young people aged 15–25 from underserved communities across the UK and Northern Ireland, helping them design and deliver social impact projects rooted in lived experience.

Each organisation will give a short presentation, exploring: 

• Who they are and what they do 

• Why young people are central to their work 

• Approaches to meaningfully embedding youth voice 

• Reflections, recommendations and best practices drawn from their projects 

• Insights into what’s working, and what still needs to change, to strengthen youth voice across the sector 

This will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions. 

This session aims to bring together organisations and practitioners to share approaches, challenge assumptions and build a stronger, more youthcentred creative and cultural sector.

Who is this session for?

Anyone who is working with (or interested in learning how to use) a youth voice and participation approach in the music, creative and cultural sectors. All levels of experience are welcome.