Please note that the Sound Futures Programme is now closed to new participants
The Sound Futures project used creative digital media, music and radio-based opportunities as a tool to engage and inspire young people into raising their aspirations and supporting them to move closer to employment.
The programme saw participants receiving both 1:1 support and group session work where a project-based approach was used for participants to work towards some sort of event, performance, broadcast or other final product of their choosing. With over 11 years working within the NEET sector in Torbay, Sound Communities’ approach to delivery focussed on relationship-based interventions with young people who have been marginalised or were failed previously by numerous systems in their life.
Across almost 2 years of delivery, the programme supported dozens of young people back into work, education including university, self-employment and training.
Who was supported?
Torbay-based young person between the ages of 16 and 24 who were not in education, employment or training were eligible to be supported. The programme was fully funded and completely free to participants.
What was delivered?
Interested in learning more about what Sound Communities do, or interested in supporting these kinds of interventions?
Find out more here: Front Page - Sound Communities
(Trigger warning – References of self-harm and self-destructive behaviours)
My name is Charlotte, I am 17 years old, and I live in Torquay with my dad.
I initially attended Exeter College but, due to mental health challenges, I withdrew. Later that year I joined Sound Futures, but my first experience was difficult. I struggled to attend sessions due to more mental health issues e.g. self-destruction and anxiety. Fortunately, I was offered a second opportunity to take part in 2025.
During this second chance, I focused on achieving stability in my mental health, building my CV, and exploring whether returning to college was the right path for me. As a result of this process, I have now enrolled in South Devon College to study Health and Social Care.
My time at Sound Communities has taught me several important lessons to find joy in the small things such as my passion for songwriting; that nothing will change unless you take steps to change it; and that there is always someone in your corner willing to listen. Even when my challenges could not be fixed, I always felt heard, understood, and supported and am also now just over 2 months clean from self-harming.