Over the last three years, our Youth Music–funded programme ‘Move/Shake’ has worked with 2,075 people through 239 musical experiences, with participants engaging 2,888 times in total. This included 1,654 children and young people, many of whom accessed musical experiences locally for the very first time.
Designed to increase access to a diverse range of high-quality and professional music opportunities in rural and underserved communities, the project was delivered across six locations in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. Through a combination of music-making workshops, live performances and producer/promoter training, Move/Shake supported young people to take part not just as audiences or participants, but as decision-makers, leaders and creators.
As we move into the next phase of this work, with thanks to continued support from the Youth Music Catalyser Fund, we’ve taken time to reflect on what we have learned over the past three years, what worked well, and how those lessons are shaping our future approach.
What Worked
Feedback across the programme was overwhelmingly positive.
- 95% of people surveyed said they had fun
- 82% said they were interested in finding out about more music-making experiences
- 89% said they had learned something new
Young people reported increased confidence, enjoyment and motivation:
- 68% of young leaders said their confidence increased
- 84% maintained or improved self-efficacy
- 100% of participants felt they had “gained something” from taking part
The programme also opened doors to new experiences and future possibilities. 70% of young people surveyed said they were interested in learning more about music and music-related careers, with many discovering roles and pathways within the music industry they hadn’t previously considered.
“[The workshop] boosted my enjoyment in musical sounds.”
“Can’t wait to get home and make music.”
What We Learned
Consistency is key
One of the clearest lessons from Move/Shake was the importance of consistent, sustained provision. Engaging young people outside of school takes time, particularly in rural areas where transport and access can be ongoing challenges. Participation often requires confidence and commitment, which only develops once trust, routine and familiarity are established.
This reinforces the need for long-term engagement rather than one-off activity, giving young people the time and space to feel comfortable, return regularly, and build momentum.
Confidence grows through doing
Workshops that focused directly on music-making delivered the most immediate boosts in confidence and interest. In contrast, roles requiring multiple transferable skills, such as event promotion, often took longer for young people to feel confident in.
This highlights an important learning: complex skills need time, repetition, and structured support. Starting with practical, creative activity helps build confidence first, creating a stronger foundation for young people to take on broader responsibilities later.
Repeat opportunities matter
Progression routes are vital. Opportunities for young people to revisit skills, deepen their understanding, and gradually take on more responsibility leads to sustained engagement and long-term confidence-building. Growth doesn’t happen at once; it happens through return, reflection, and practice. With this structure, young people start to identify what specific music skills, roles, and knowledge they are most interested in and ultimately shape the next phase of the project for themselves.
To find out more about best practice in Youth Arts provision, check out our ‘Leading the Way’ Report.
What’s next?
These learnings are directly shaping how we design workshops, support young people, and work with industry professionals over the next phase of our Move/Shake provision and beyond; ensuring that consistency, progression and access remain central to everything we do.
At its core, Move/Shake sets out to remove barriers to music participation, build confidence, and support young people to imagine future pathways. Over the next two years, we will continue to support music progression pathways for young music creators and producers in King’s Lynn, Wisbech, Thetford, and Histon, and explore ways to offer new music opportunities in other areas.
You can stay up on date on locations and activities by joining our newsletter or checking out our online Events Listings. Alternatively, you can email Lea, the Move/Shake Project Manager – [email protected]
Image credits: 1. Wisbech final event – Credit Sam Lance 2. King’s Lynn Workshop – CAE.
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