From 2021 to March 2024, Services for Young People (SfYP) ran 108 music creation sessions at eight of our young people’s centres for 226 aspiring young musicians aged 11 to 24. These sessions helped to develop their skills and confidence to create music using music recording equipment, song writing, singing, and playing musical instruments, as well as learning life skills to help them in the future.
Young people who took part were able to use music recording software, learn about the skills needed to be a studio engineer and how to assert themselves as recording artists. They were encouraged and supported to overcome challenges during the music creation process when things did not go to plan to improve their resilience.
During the sessions, SfYP Youth Workers and Everybody Loves Music staff led workshops on personal safety and resilience, discussing the risks and issues of engaging in dangerous risk-taking behaviours, gangs and crime. This equipped young people with the knowledge to make positive choices and improve their emotional wellbeing.
The project has given young people a platform to explore their passion and talents, with over three-quarters of participants recommending it to others. Over half of young people reported improvements in music composition, recording, and production skills at the end of the project. The majority felt more self-confident and want to continue to develop their music skills and knowledge.
Young people have acknowledged the project's impact on their personal development, with over half saying that they now feel more confident to make positive choices to stay safe and experiencing improved emotional wellbeing. They feel that their skills will also help them in other areas of their lives, such as public speaking and expressing opinions. The project has inspired them to get involved with other activities and projects in the local community. Five young people have been recognised for their achievements and received awards from Everybody Loves Music, and one has become a young leader for the organisation.
Feedback from young people who attended:
“Before attending the project, I was not able to do music outside of school, even though I really love singing, song writing and performing. I am so glad I got to go to the project, enter Everybody Loves Music’s song writing competitions and had the opportunity to perform my songs at several events – performing in a theatre was amazing and I can’t wait to perform again!”
“I like making music and having time in the studio makes me feel relaxed. I listen to it on my phone and work on ideas for the next session.”
“I was happy I built the confidence to finally rap. The staff have helped me achieve this and now I am writing new material all the time. Staff have made time for me to record my music so I can keep on improving and learning. I also won an award for achieving this. My parents and I were really proud”.
Young people can continue to use the music resources and equipment at SfYP projects.
Find out about SfYP youth work projects in your area.
UK Music Activator project was delivered by Services for Young People in partnership with Everybody Loves Music and supported by Youth Music.
