Hear My Voice
Hear My Voice is our current programme for Care Experienced Young People in northwest London in partnership with the University of Westminster, University of West London, and Virtual Schools in Brent, Ealing, Harrow and Barnet.
3 short pilot projects in 2024/5, one at the University of West London and two at the University of Westminster’s Harrow campus, provided inspiring song-writing and band experiences alongside positive engagement with higher education: giving participating young people a chance to be on a university campus and to engage with student ambassadors who support project delivery. Few care experienced young people attend higher education, so our programme makes this pathway more attractive and attainable – and will help with longer-term positive life outcomes for the participants.
Each short project took place either over 6 consecutive Saturdays, or more intensely over 3 full days in half term. Projects were led by 3 professional musicians who facilitated whole-group activities and then divided the young people into bands which created their own lyrics and music – which they performed to each other and an invited audience at the end.
“Hear My Voice gave young people an opportunity not only to learn the craft of songwriting, but do so in a ‘live’ environment, with fully equipped rehearsal rooms and an up to date stage with amplifiers, monitors and lighting… Seeing how this project had evolved at the final performance was amazing! Most importantly, this gave the young people a space to express themselves where they didn’t feel judged. The enthusiasm of all involved was infectious and the joy on the faces of the young people was a joy to witness.” (Post 16 Advisor, Brent Virtual School for Looked After Children)
Hear My Voice started a new phase in the autumn 2025, with a continued emphasis on song-writing and band in collaboration with our two partner universities.
Previous programmes with Care Experienced Young People
Since 2012 we have delivered numerous projects with Care Experienced children and young people, including weekly band and art projects, and shorter more intensive holiday courses covering multiple artforms such as film-making, drama, dance, music and spoken word. Some highlights include:
Future Focus (2022)
This project for care-leavers, in partnership with London Higher and Coventry University, was directed by Maxwell Golden, an experienced writer and producer who was instrumental in guiding the participants to explore their ideas through poetry, music and acting.
The project was supported by The Courtauld Institute, who invited us to visit the sold out Van Gogh Portraits exhibit. It proved particularly successful with our young people as they reflected with animated discussion on Van Gogh’s history and self-portraits. They found the venue welcoming and promised to return as it felt accessible to them.
“It 100% helped my confidence, it helped with my skills with filming and even improved my accents, which I love doing… you don’t get this opportunity much.” (Participant)
A key part of the programmes was the creation of a short film by the group, that highlighted the different skills they learnt. From writing and producing content, camera angles, music and editing, each of them created a fantastic clip that was displayed as part of a final showcase – which Creative Futures is proud to showcase (below):
The Brave and the Strong (2013-15)
The Brave and the Strong was the name of the band our care experienced young people created in our long-running project in Hounslow. Dozens of young people in care took part in this project which included performances and the recording in a professional studio of the inspiring songs and lyrics the group created.
“W has been making great progress expressing herself and exploring her identity and care experience during sessions. Through the design of our booklet she has been able to articulate her experience of education whilst in care and given great insight to help other young people, and is becoming more secure in who she is.” (Participation Officer for Children in Care)
“I think it’s one of the best things I’ve achieved in my life… Creative Futures is what got me into actually wanting to do music and I found out how much I really love music… so that’s why I’m going on to do music in college. I want to be a music therapist” (Participating young person)
