Sound Connections Mentoring Programme:
For creative practitioners, music leaders, educators and managers who work with children and young people through music.
Do you work with children and young people through music?
Want to receive bespoke support and advice from established practitioners and professionals?
Apply now to take part in Sound Connections 2025-26 mentoring programme!
Types of mentoring
Mentoring provides an opportunity to explore your professional needs and interests, and reflect on your practice in a safe and inclusive space with support from a mentor who will be experienced in your area of interest.
The kind of mentoring you’d like to receive will be based on your individual needs and interests. This could include:
- Support with progressing in your career, whatever stage you are at
- Broadening and deepening knowledge and confidence in a particular area
- Growing your networks
- Help developing a new idea
- Getting feedback and support from a critical friend
- Support with managing your wellbeing
Types of mentors
Sound Connections’ training and professional development programme now focuses on six main areas:
- Strategy & development (i.e. fundraising, communications, advocacy.)
- Mental health & wellbeing
- Music education career development
- Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
- Anti-racism in music education
Most of our mentors have experience and specialisms in these areas. However, we understand that individuals may need support in other topics too. Applicants are welcome to specify particular areas they require guidance in, and we’ll do our best to match them with a suitable mentor.
Previous mentors have included specialists in trauma-informed practice, EDI strategy, youth work, mental health, social justice, SEND, early years, community music, fundraising, and evaluation. We have strong connections across the music, education, youth and charity sectors, and can draw on this network to find the right support for you.
Other opportunities
Mentees will also be offered free access to Sound Connections’ training programme throughout this period as well as signposting to a range of resources and other training and professional development opportunities.
...meeting my mentor through this programme has been invaluable. My mentor slowly helped me unpack the project's goals, allowing me to reframe it to focus on empowerment. They kindly went through the project rundown, offering suggestions on framing workshops and addressing issues. They constantly reminded me that change is ongoing and supported me in various ways, including providing resources and research materials.
Mentee 2023-24
Who is this mentoring for?
This programme is open to anyone who wishes to develop and deepen their work with children and young people. It is particularly relevant to musicians, music leaders, workshop leaders, teachers, creative practitioners, producers or managers who work with children and young people through music and the arts. This opportunity is ideally suited to music/arts education practitioners and professionals who are in the early-mid stages of their careers.
Individuals can be based anywhere in England. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals who are based in Levelling Up for Culture Places or Priority Places as defined by Arts Council England – click here to find out which areas this covers. However, if you are not based in one of these areas, please do still apply.
What support you will receive
- A development needs analysis session with a member of Sound Connections’ team to identify your professional development needs and areas of interest
- A mentor (matched by Sound Connections in collaboration with you)
- Up to 3 hours of mentoring between September 2025 and April 2026 with your allocated mentor
- Free access to other training sessions delivered by Sound Connections
- Signposting to further resources and training and professional development opportunities
Format
Each mentee will be matched with a mentor to help them learn, explore and reflect on their practice and career goals. Each mentee will receive up to 3 hours of mentoring from their mentor.
The format of mentoring, and of sessions is to be decided between mentor and mentee. This could be a combination of face to face and online sessions, and/or inviting the mentor to observe the mentees’ work. Hours can also be grouped together to create a longer session, i.e. 2 x 1.5 hour sessions or 1 x 3 hour session. Mentees are also encouraged to observe their mentor’s work where appropriate. The frequency and format of mentoring sessions will be left to you and your mentor to decide.
Commitment
We ask for full commitment to the programme including:
- Responding to communication in a timely manner
- Arranging and attending mentoring sessions as agreed
- Committing to reflecting on your current practice and being open to constructive feedback and discussion with your mentor
- To work collaboratively with Sound Connections to reflect on and develop the mentoring programme through evaluation questionnaires
- Attending other Sound Connections training events where possible
How to participate
If you would be interested in taking part, please complete this short sign-up form.
This is a rolling programme. Places will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
If there is anything we can do to help you to apply, please let us know. If you’re unsure about whether this is right for you, or simply want to chat to someone about the programme, please contact emily@sound-connections.org.uk.