Ageing Upwards Not Outwards Webinar Recap

At Sound Connections, we believe that young people should be at the heart of shaping the music sector. Our recent online workshop,  Ageing Upwards Not Outwards: Exploring the Progression Routes from Participant to Practitioner, brought together emerging creatives and industry professionals to spotlight the journeys of young people rising through Sound Connections and music charity We Make Culture. The session celebrated progress, purpose, and the transformative power of music. 

Nurturing Talent from Within 

Our Programme Manager (Sector Support) Alison Porter kicked off by introducing our Wired4Music programme for 16-25 year olds and highlighting the progression routes Sound Connections offer beyond this, including a six-month paid Assistant Producer internship, prioritising Wired members for permanent junior roles within the organisation when vacancies arise, opportunities for young trustees to join our board, and our Wired Associates programme, an 18-month paid training initiative for 25-30 year olds.  We strive to offer as many of these roles to Wired4Music members and alumni as possible, providing valuable stepping stones for emerging creatives and ensuring progression route for those involved in the programme. 

Jasmine’s Journey: From Wired4Music Participant to Producer 

Jasmine Padda, now a Programme Producer (Sector Support) at Sound Connections, shared her inspiring path from being a Wired4Music participant to becoming a vital team member at Sound Connections. Her early experience included many of her first-time achievements through Wired4Music including a live performance, event curation, and securing funding for her creative projects through the Generate programme. 

From co-producing a showcase at Tate Britain for the London City Takeover to launching her debut EP, Jasmine’s growth has been fuelled by authentic youth voice in action. Today, she mentors others, co-facilitates events, and works towards building a more inclusive music education sector. 

Wired Associates: Yasmine and Shakira 

Wired Associates is an 18-month training programme, co-created by our Co-Director Liz Coomb alongside our two first Wired Associates, Shakira Alleyne and Yasmine Dankwah. The programme offers training in areas such as project management, evaluation, fundraising, and facilitation, shadowing and co-delivering elements of our consultancy programme such as leading focus groups and undertaking research and data analysis, and co-designing and host events like the  Ageing Upwards Not Outwards: Exploring the Progression Routes from Participant to Practitioner webinar and our Inclusive Practice in Action annual gathering . As part of the programme, they’ve also devised and led their own independent projects – for Shakira, a documentary film about improving access for neurodivergent people in creative fields, and for Yasmine, a podcast exploring progression routes for young people. It’s a hands-on, intentional journey designed with and for young change-makers. 

Shakira’s journey dates back to a research project with us in 2015 and later as a young trustee. As a neurodivergent creative, she shared the challenges of finding sustained, supported work in the music industry. Today, Shakira has used the skills she’s gained from the Wired Associates Programme to design accessible music workshops tailored to neurodivergent young people. 

Yasmine joined the Wired Associates programme after connecting with us through a young producers’ project in 2022. She spoke of the trust-based culture at Sound Connections, which allowed her to step into leadership roles. From facilitating sessions to co-hosting events, she’s grown into a confident advocate and educator. 

Navigating Barriers with Community, Trust, and Care 

The conversation also addressed the structural and personal barriers that can hinder progress, especially for neurodivergent individuals. Shakira highlighted the need for gradual progression and support. Yasmine discussed the pitfalls of short-term thinking in youth engagement, acknowledging Sound Connections’ long-term, person-centred approach. 

All three young people emphasised how belief from the team gave them the confidence to lead. Jasmine described how being trusted to take on responsibility helped her realise her own potential. It’s a reminder that investing in young people isn’t just about providing resources, it’s about believing in them. 

Laura Brewis and Sophie Jackson: Nurturing Leadership and Talent 

Laura Brewis, founder of We Make Culture, shared how their Young Musicians Project (YMP) empowers young people aged 13 to 19, providing them with the skills and confidence to pursue music. Laura discussed the challenges of supporting older participants to progress further and introduced the Peer-to-Peer programme, designed to extend opportunities for growth beyond the age of 19. Sophie Jackson, who joined YMP at 18, spoke about how this initiative allowed her to evolve from a participant into an Assistant Music Leader. Through the peer-to-peer programme, Sophie developed crucial leadership and facilitation skills, eventually taking on a new role that allowed her to guide others while continuing her personal musical journey. This transition highlights how We Make Culture fosters both creative and professional growth, ensuring that young people remain involved in music long after they reach adulthood. 

Looking Ahead 

At Sound Connections, Ageing Upwards Not Outwards reflects our commitment to sustained development not just for the organisation, but for every young person who engages with us. It signifies growth rooted in values, nurtured over time, and led by those who understand the journey best – the young people themselves. 

We will soon be recruiting for a new cohort of Wired for Music Associates. Sign-up to our newsletter to be the first to find out more.