Welcome to the second of our special Young Sessions episodes, where authentic voices reveal music's healing power. Hosts Baz Chapman and Celi Barberia continue their conversation with Afiya Lucombe-Davis from Lewisham Music, exploring how facilitators support young people's emotional expression without crossing into therapy territory. Then, performance poet Toni-Ann Gurdon sits down with two remarkable artists - rapper Mimi Mxnroe and H-Jay - for intimate conversations about using music as therapy, processing trauma through lyrics, and why authenticity beats perfection every time.

Discover how music becomes medicine when young people are given permission to be vulnerable and completely themselves. From processing difficult experiences through diss tracks to transforming pain into powerful spoken word, learn what happens when creativity meets healing - and why music often succeeds where traditional support falls short.

Hear honest discussions about music's limitations alongside its power, practical songwriting advice, and a stunning live performance of H-Jay's "Mirrors on Windows" - a spoken word piece about finding purpose through pain.

This episode explores the delicate balance between creative expression and emotional processing, revealing how safe spaces enable young people to transform their most difficult experiences into authentic art that heals both creator and audience.

Inspiring Voices is the podcast of the Sing Up Foundation, exploring how singing and vocal work support children and young people's mental health and wellbeing. Listen in and be inspired by the power of music to heal, connect, and transform lives.

Welcome to the first of our special Young Sessions episodes, where young voices take center stage. Hosts Baz Chapman and Celi Barberia speak with Afiya Lucombe-Davis, Community Programme Producer at Lewisham Music, about what makes safe creative spaces truly transformative for young people aged 14-19. Then, performance poet Toni-Ann Gurdon interviews four talented artists from Lewisham's Rap and Lyricism Collective and Vocal Collective about their creative journeys, songwriting processes, and the power of finding your authentic voice.

Discover how award-winning youth music charity Lewisham Music creates environments where hundreds of young people choose to explore their emotions through rap, lyricism, and vocals. From the importance of local facilitators who understand the community, to the freedom that comes from voluntary participation, learn what happens when young people are given genuine ownership of their creative development.

In this episode:

• Understand why facilitators from the local community create instant belonging and familiarity for young participants
• Learn how voluntary participation and freedom of choice transforms young people's relationship with their creativity
• Discover practical songwriting techniques like word association and beat selection that help artists express complex emotions
• Hear authentic conversations about processing difficult experiences through lyrics without crossing into therapy territory
• Explore how peer support creates environments where young people push each other to reach their potential
• Witness live freestyle performances that showcase the confidence and skills developed in safe creative spaces
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Featuring powerful insights from Jaden (Chris MA), Kwasi, Marley, and Ziggy as they share their creative processes, perform original work, and reveal how music has become their pathway to self-expression and growth.

Key Insights:

• Choice transforms everything: voluntary participation creates ownership that mandatory programs can't achieve
• Local facilitators who share community backgrounds generate instant trust and belonging
• Peer pressure becomes peer power when young people support each other's creative growth
• "No rules" doesn't mean chaos - it means freedom to find your authentic creative process
• Complex backgrounds become creative fuel when young people have safe spaces to express them
• Stepping-stone programs bridge the gap between beginner confidence and professional opportunities
• Live performance opportunities (like Royal Albert Hall) provide tangible goals that motivate continued participation
• Processing emotions through lyrics creates constructive outlets without requiring therapy training
• Beat selection and word association are practical tools any young person can use to improve their songwriting
• Safe spaces allow vulnerability to become strength rather than liability

Listen for these game-changing moments:"There's no rules. Literally. You can do whatever you like." - Kwasi on creative freedom"I just feel at peace and I feel comfortable. I feel like just ready to share and get feedback." - Jaden on safe spaces"They really push each other to get to their potential, essentially." - Afiya on peer support"It's giving you an outlet, essentially... how can we make it productive?" - Afiya on channeling emotions"Because it's free, you're under no obligation... giving young people ownership of their work." - Afiya on choice

We explore how racial and cultural barriers in music education impact children & young people's mental health & wellbeing, and examine the healing potential of inclusive singing practices. Baz and Celi are joined by Luqman Ali, co-founder and artistic director of Khayaal Theatre Company, the UK's first professional theatre company dedicated to Muslim literature and culture, and Natasha Hendry, a music psychologist whose research focuses on racial barriers in music education.

The conversation delves into the intersection of race and culture, the concept of "weathering" - the long-term health impacts of experiencing racism - and how singing can provide both immediate healing and contribute to broader social justice efforts. The guests share personal experiences of exclusion from formal music education, discuss the diversity within Muslim communities regarding music and singing, and offer practical guidance for educators wanting to create more inclusive musical environments.

In this episode of Inspiring Voices, hosts Baz Chapman and Celi Barberia welcome two guests who share both family ties and expertise in understanding music's impact on wellbeing. Dr Daisy Fancourt, Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at UCL, brings research on how singing and arts engagement affect mental health across all ages - from mothers with postnatal depression to young people on mental health waiting lists. Joining her is composer Howard Goodall CBE, the first National Ambassador for Singing and creator of TV and film scores, who shares insights into why singing should be part of school and community life. Together, they explore the role of collective music-making in building resilience, the decline of arts provision in schools, the effects of COVID on community singing, and why singing together remains an important tool for connection and healing.

"We have created the ideology of normal... and if we don't deconstruct that, we will 100% be traumatising our young people."

Join Celi and Baz for a deeply honest conversation with BAFTA award-winning broadcasters and MBE recipients Carrie and David Grant. Long-time Sing Up friends, they share their family's journey raising four neurodivergent children in a household where music has always been part of daily life.

In this thoughtful episode, discover:

• How they created a music-filled home where instruments were always accessible and creativity flourished
• Why a TV lighting technician had more autism training than any teacher their child ever encountered
• The importance of "sitting in the ruins" with young people and validating their experience
• Moving stories from their career, including how their TV show helped a parent whose non-speaking child found their voice
• Why music is "free medicine" - accessible to everyone regardless of singing ability

From their early days creating empowering songs to supporting families through their autism parent group, Carrie and David share insights about questioning "normal," fostering belonging, and demonstrating how music can be both refuge and voice for children facing challenges.

A valuable listen for: Parents, teachers, music educators, and anyone working with children and young people. This conversation offers profound insights into acceptance, creativity, and the healing power of truly being heard.

Content warning: Discusses mental health challenges including suicide ideation.

Join us for a revealing conversation with B'Opera founder Zoe Challenor and Professor Rosie Perkins from the Royal College of Music as they explore the powerful dual impact of singing on child development and parental wellbeing.

Recorded during Maternal Mental Health Week, this episode combines accessible science with practical applications that singing leaders, educators, and healthcare professionals can implement in their work. Discover the research behind why babies listen longer to singing than speaking, how singing measurably reduces stress hormones, and the ways musical experiences create what our experts call a "virtuous circle" of wellbeing between parent and child.

Learn about Professor Perkins' research showing how group singing accelerates recovery from postnatal depression, and how Zoe's work in Birmingham Children's Hospital demonstrates improved physiological responses in babies during singing sessions. Our guests share tangible strategies for creating inclusive, responsive musical experiences that address both children's developmental needs and caregiver mental health simultaneously.

Whether you're a music professional seeking evidence-based approaches, a teacher looking for new tools, or simply interested in the science of early childhood, this episode offers valuable insights into creating sustainable, accessible singing programs across various settings—from libraries and community gardens to healthcare environments.

Tune in to enhance your professional practice and be inspired by the transformative potential of singing to nurture wellbeing across generations.

A quick preview of the second half of Series 2 of Inspiring Voices.

Dive into the transformative power of music through the lens of neurodiversity! Join experts Abigail Mann-Daraz and Alice Nicholls as they unravel the complex world of inclusive singing, bringing their personal experiences and professional insights to the forefront. This episode explores how music can be a profound healing tool for neurodivergent young people, challenging traditional notions of 'normal' and celebrating the unique voices that often go unheard.

Drawing from their own lived experiences with neurodivergence, these specialists reveal the critical intersection of mental health, music, and self-expression. Discover how singing can become more than just a skill—it's a pathway to connection, understanding, and personal empowerment for young people navigating the challenges of neurodivergence.

Whether you're an educator, music lover, or someone passionate about inclusive practices, this episode promises to open your eyes to the remarkable potential of music as a universal language of understanding and support.

Inspiring Voices is the podcast of the Sing Up Foundation. In this second series, co-hosts Baz Chapman and Celi Barberia chat with pairs of guests about the power of singing for young people, particularly those whose life experiences are likely to impact on their mental health.

The Sing Up Foundation believes in the power of singing to improve health and wellbeing – so listen in and be inspired!

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For more information on the Sing Up Foundation, visit: ⁠⁠www.singupfoundation.org⁠⁠

Episode features music from Beccy Owen. 'Anemone' originally written by Beccy Owen and the Refuge, bespoke arrangement for Sing Up Foundation by Beccy Owen.