Creative circles: Voices

Creative Circles: Voices is an exploratory training course for youth workers, educators, mentors, facilitators and trainers working in the field of non-formal learning and youth work.

The training explores voice as a tool for self-expression, connection and participation. Through music, singing, rhythm, improvisation, storytelling and embodied practices, participants will explore their relationship with their own voice, what they want to express, what may be difficult to express, and what happens when different voices meet.

The learning journey moves from the individual towards the collective through three main focuses: Finding My Voice, Expressing My Voice and Voices Together. Participants will work with body, breath, resonance, movement, sound and silence, as well as collective singing, storytelling and improvisation. We will also explore questions of participation: who gets heard, who remains silent, and how youth workers can create spaces where young people feel able to find and use their own voices.

The training is based on experiential and non-formal learning. Participants will learn by doing, experimenting, reflecting and creating together rather than learning how to sing or perform. A significant part of the programme will take place outdoors, using nature as an active element of the learning process.

Throughout the week, visiting practitioners will introduce different approaches to voice, music and storytelling. Together, participants will also collect and document methods and exercises that can be adapted and used in their own youth work practice.

No previous musical, singing or storytelling experience is required. The training is intended for people actively involved in youth work and non-formal learning who are curious about using creative and embodied approaches in their work with young people.