Youth Led Initiatives: get inspired and connect this Spring

About the session:

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.

You’ll hear insights to support your own youth voice strategy and approach, and learn directly from young people who are driving change in their communities.

This online session has been co-created alongside our Trainee Associates.

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.

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.

More details to follow.

How to attend:

Tickets to all Sound Connections’ events are currently fixed at just £15 (discounts and bursaries still apply, see below for details).

Free to young people aged 16-25, students and unwaged.

We want to ensure our training events are fully accessible and that cost is not a barrier. We therefore have a limited number of bursary places available to those who are unable to pay (subject to availability). Please email emily@sound-connections.org.uk to discuss the options.