Activate Grantees 25-26 announced

Activate is our investment programme for Music Hubs* across England to develop or deliver action-focused work, with their young people. 

This year we are delighted to welcome three hubs onto the 25-26 programme, keep reading to find out about our Activate grantees and their projects… 

Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub: Young Ambassadors Programme

Developed through Sound Connections’ Activate 24-25 programme, Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub’s Young Ambassadors Programme offers a bespoke training programme and tailored work experience placements, to support a diverse cohort of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to develop key skills and explore pathways into the music and creative industries.
Following on the success of their first-year project, Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub are returning to build on this for a second year, offering the programme to a new cohort of young people with SEND. A key development in this next year of the project will be the opportunity for previous ambassadors to return as peer mentors.

“We are thrilled to be embarking on Year 2 of the Young Ambassadors programme in partnership with Sound Connections. Last year’s pilot was nothing short of transformative – empowering young people with SEND to grow in confidence, develop vital skills and find their voice within the music and creative industries. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, families and host organisations has inspired us to build on this success and we’re especially excited to introduce a peer mentoring element that will deepen the impact and foster a lasting sense of community. With continued support, we’re committed to breaking down barriers and creating inclusive opportunities that truly change lives.” – Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub

Bristol Beacon: Youth Voice Development

Bristol Beacon’s Youth Voice Development project will pilot, trial and establish meaningful ways of developing more youth voice work in their ensembles programme, ensuring that young people play a central role in shaping their musical experiences. The project will include training and the creation of youth voice committees within each ensemble, expanding on their existing Youth Orchestra committee. This will culminate in a major festival in July 2026, co-created and co-produced by young people, celebrating their music-making and leadership.

“We are absolutely thrilled that the support of Sound Connections will ensure youth voice is at the heart of all Bristol Beacon’s ensembles. The new programme will empower young people to take an active role in shaping their musical experiences – from creative decisions about the ensembles they are in, to co-creating a festival in July 2026 that celebrates their music-making. It’s an exciting evolution of how we support young musicians to lead, collaborate and innovate, and it’s thanks to Sound Connections that this can happen.” – Adrian Riches, Development Director

Leicestershire Music Hub: Leics Connect

Leicestershire Music Hub’s Leics Invest project is an annual training programme designed to invest in, and develop the skills of, young people who want to help shape the future of music education in Leicester and Leicestershire and who are interested in a creative career.
Building on the success of the inaugural year of Leics Connect – developed through Sound Connections’ Activate 24-25 programme – Leicestershire Music Hub are now returning to Activate for a second year, to develop the next cohort of emerging professionals while continuing to nurture the development of their first. This year the project plans to extend opportunities to a new group, whilst also deepen the growth of our initial cohort through sustained mentoring, leadership development, and collaborative projects.

As part of the Activate programme, all partners receive a grant, plus mentoring and training from the Sound Connections team.
We are grateful to our funders Arts Council England and Youth Music for supporting the Activate programme.