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Sound Voices

Multi-media and communications training for young people. Developing skills, creativity and confidence.

Placing youth provision at the heart of community development

Sound Voices gives children and young people the confidence and the platform to tell their own stories. Through studio based learning in a safe, welcoming space, participants build skills, creativity and confidence, beginning with the creative arts and progressing into audio, video, podcasting and broadcast, where young people research, interview, record, edit and share real stories rooted in their own lives and communities.

We work with young people aged 9 to 25, in schools and in open access training hubs across Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and London. No prior skills, experience or confidence are needed. The only requirement is a willingness to try something new.

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Hear from the Sound Voices:

Who's it for?

Primary School Interventions

Years 5 and 6, ages 9 to 11. Delivered in school.

Small groups work with a qualified trainer outside the classroom, using creativity as a pathway to resilience. The focus is transition readiness, helping children arrive at secondary school fit for the next stage of their educational journey.

Sessions run weekly during term time, typically as a twelve week intervention across two terms, with a social, emotional and mental health focus. This is a creative arts intervention. Activities are customised to each child and range across drawing, painting, photography, animation and storytelling, chosen for what will engage that particular child.

Delivered in mainstream and special schools in partnership with school trusts across Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.

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Our in-school Early Interventions connect alternative provision with giving young people a voice in their community.

Secondary School Early Interventions

Years 8 to 10, ages 12 to 15. Delivered in school.

Schools identify students who are not thriving in a traditional classroom environment. Sound Voices provides a meaningful learning experience outside that setting, helping young people with social, emotional and mental health needs build strategies, communication tools and resilience through multimedia skills.

These are creativity orientated interventions. Sessions run weekly during term time, typically as a twelve week intervention delivered in pairs. The work is arts led and customised to each student, covering drawing and painting, graphic design, photography, animation and digital storytelling, with an introduction to audio and video production for those who want to take it further. Materials are designed to be used at home so the impact extends beyond the school day.

Partner schools track attendance, behaviour, engagement and self confidence before and after each intervention, and consistently report improvement across all four.

“I’m still anxious but I’ve definitely had my confidence boosted. I can even dance in front of people now, and I talk to more people. I no longer need to go to ‘Off The Record’.” Year 8 student, Norton Hill School

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Community Reporters

Ages 11 to 18. Open access, free to take part.

This is where the creative work becomes broadcast work. Young people learn to interview, record, edit and share authentic stories that are often missing from mainstream media, using professional studio equipment. Their work is broadcast through Sound Vision’s media partners, including licensed community radio stations and online platforms, so the voices we train are genuinely heard.

Community Reporters meet weekly during term time at our community hubs. They produce real, public facing content across four themes: arts, music and performance; local sport and active citizenship; democratic engagement; and cross generational storytelling.

Recent work includes a Wandsworth reporter interviewing a government minister unscripted on youth policy, a heritage feature on the Museum of Somerset, and a live outside broadcast from Putney Bridge at the University Boat Race by a reporter barely six months into training.

Many Community Reporters work towards an Arts Award qualifications, as they develop their skills and confidence.

“I feel more part of something because I have lovely people around me. It’s very welcoming for people that are creative and not so confident.” Elsie, age 14, Sound Voices participant

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Pathway to Employment

Ages 15 to 25. Open access, free to take part.

Customised employability provision in a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment. Pathway to Employment combines workshops, mentoring, traineeships and work placements, covering interview skills, CV writing, professional networking and confidence in the workplace.

Mentoring connects participants with working professionals across media, finance, business and marketing. For many young people this is their first experience of a working environment.

Pathway to Employment is open to all levels of need. We particularly welcome referrals for neurodivergent young people, children in care and care leavers, and those looking to thrive outside formal educational settings. We also run specialist supported placements for autistic young people in a live studio setting, working in partnership with special schools.

Every participant who completes Pathway to Employment identifies a positive next step into employment, further education or volunteering.

Social workers, virtual schools, leaving care teams, foster carers and school staff are all welcome to get in touch about a referral.

“I went from not leaving the house to a full time job that I really like.” Kieran Clarke, 24, Sound Voices participant

“Without my work placement through Pathway to Employment, I have no doubt that I would not have gained the skills, experience and most importantly the confidence required to thrive in a corporate environment.” Natalie Randall, UKIA Social Media Lead, Accenture and PR and Media Consultant, Sound Vision

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Without my work placement through Pathway to Employment, I have no doubt that I would not have gained the skills, experience and most importantly the confidence required to thrive in a corporate environment.”

Natalie Randall, UKIA Social Media Lead, Accenture & PR and Media Consultant, Sound Vision

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