YouthLed Initiatives: get inspired and connect this Spring
Come along to our Spring Youth Voice event, Youth Led Initiatives, which will now take place online on Monday 18 May 2026, 2pm – 4:00pm.
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 tickets 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;
The Trainee Associates Programme has been a great experience especially with getting to learn more about Youth Voice and explore the sector. In helping to create this session, as a young person myself I thought it would make sense and be perfect to hear from organisations that are led by the voices of young people, to hear from some of the young people themselves, and for them to able to share their great work and findings.
Mwathi Muriu-Gakonga - Sound Connections Trainee Associate
About the Guest Organisations:
A youth music development charity based in North-Yorkshire, AMP champion’s the transformative potential of music for children and young people. Working through the knowledge that music has the power to change lives – it can raise aspirations, enable personal and social development, and enhance career prospects.
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.
We don’t need to ‘give’ young people a voice. They already have one. It is about who is listening, and what are they willing to change.
The Agency of Change
Small Green Shoots is a youth-led charity that focuses on supporting young people aged 16-25 from low-income backgrounds in the music and creative industries. The organisation offers employability programs and art based projects. Through are programmes, offered as an alternative route of education, young people will learn about the music industry through sessions with industry professionals, going on tours, and having hands on experience creating their own event.
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 youth centred 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.
How to Attend:
Tickets to all Sound Connections events are £15 (discounts and bursaries available).
Free for young people aged 16–25, students and those currently unwaged.
We’re committed to making our training events accessible. A limited number of bursary places are available for those unable to pay. Please email emily@sound-connections.org.uk to explore options.
Book your tickets here:
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