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.