The Original Track Award (Solo) is sponsored by TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Their mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy.
For a Youth Music funded project that pushes the boundaries to promote inclusive music-making.
WINNERS
AutismAble Cic - Future Collaborations
North East
Future Collaborations by AutismAble equalises access to music for disadvantaged young people across the North East, those who typically face barriers to music - whether that is because of their background, gender, ability, status, ethnicity or financial situation - with an outlet to express themselves. Many members who attend the sessions are neurodivergent and struggle with social anxiety and poor mental health.
The project goes far beyond music tuition, allowing members to take leadership of their learning, build confidence and self-esteem through performing, make decisions, gain new skills and develop friendships. The staff are fantastic and incredibly passionate about the project and the young people it serves. They go above and beyond to provide unique opportunities that are often rare for neurodivergent and disadvantaged young people. The project has supported so many young people from different backgrounds and brought neurodivergent and neurotypical people together over a shared passion for music.
Beacons Cymru
Wales
Beacons Cymru offers valuable services for young people in South Wales, enabling them to learn skills, make mistakes and grow whilst entering the creative and music industries. Projects like those under Beacons Cymru provide crucial support to music creators with funding, education, access to equipment, introductions to a variety of creative networks, work placement opportunities, mental health support and friendship.
Beacons is so vital in ensuring that sustainability within our industry is ensured and that there is support available to those who might not know what their next steps are in making a dream career a reality. They listen to young people and work in active change to see them equipped with what they need to not only survive but thrive in today's industry.
Music For Good - Music in a GP Surgery
South West
Music For Good delivers 1:1 Music for Wellbeing sessions at St Austell and Mevagissey GP surgeries as part of their Social Prescribing programme.Together, they are developing a new approach to both music education and healthcare, breaking down barriers to participation in both.
The young people involved face significant barriers to musical and social engagement. They have complex needs, and many are living with Adverse Childhood Experiences. In addition, the St Austell area is one of the most deprived in Cornwall. These young people are excluded from the current music education system but this programme looks beyond our sector for new answers to inclusion challenging the normal ways of working to adopt a holistic approach to music social justice. Another innovative aspect of the programme is ensuring our music practitioners are themselves supported in a trauma informed way, so they are offered regular reflective group supervision led by a clinical adolescent psychotherapist.