We’re absolutely over the moon that the Soundabout Emerging Leaders Programme won the ‘Outstanding Project Award’ at the Youth Music Awards 2025!
The Youth Music Awards celebrate the most forward-thinking people and projects shaping the future of music. Judged by leading industry figures, the awards are open to Youth Music NextGen Fund recipients and those who’ve taken part in a Youth Music-funded project in the last five years.
The ‘Outstanding Project Award’ category is for a Youth Music funded project that pushes the boundaries to promote inclusive music-making. Hundreds of nominations across the 12 categories were judged by a panel of industry experts, including Ninja Tune production duo Bicep, UK hero Tinie Tempah, and radio presenters Jess Iszatt and Jodie Bryant.
Soundabout’s Emerging and Graduate Emerging Leaders programme supports Learning Disabled young people on their journeys into music related careers! Through accredited training, hands-on placements, and young person-led design, it builds skills, confidence, and employment pathways in a sector where representation is lacking. With 26 Graduates to date and 10 current Emerging Leaders, the programme is redefining leadership and accessibility in music, proving that Learning Disabled young people can lead, inspire, and shape the future of inclusive creative practice.
We’d like to say a huge congratulations to everyone involved; from our incredible staff and practitioner team who facilitate the programme (with special thanks to Ellen, Katie, Belle, and Rebecca), to the brilliantly creative and inspiring Emerging and Graduate Emerging Leaders, not to mention their supporters who make it all possible!
Thank you to
Youth Music for recognising, championing, and funding our work. Thank you to all of our other funders and donors who support or have supported the programme in the past including The Charles Plater Trust, St James’s Place Charitable Foundation, Baily Thomas Charitable Fund, and The Elsie Davis Trust. Big thanks to
Rocksteady Music School for sponsoring the award and your kind words on the night!
