From Upstart to Voice!
Upstart Projects is changing name. We’re moving all our work behind our Voice brand.
Since 2014, Voice magazine (voicemag.uk) has built up a reputation amongst young people and professionals alike as a platform for arts and culture and a place where young people can build their skills and have their say. The magazine has attracted 2 million visitors in that time and supported thousands of young people to publish their creative work and opinions, many for the first time.
Now, 10 years on from launching Upstart as a charity, feels the right time to consolidate our commitment to youth voice and to wider representation across the cultural sector. Voice sums that up for us, so becomes our brand and identity for all our future work, while Upstart sits behind as the charity and legal entity.
More than a magazine
Voice is much more than an online magazine. Our team run local journalism and reviewing projects in the Midlands, we provide training and work experience for young people heading towards cultural careers, and we offer youth voice training for organisations.
‘It’s a great opportunity to get involved in the arts, I’d never been inside the Theatre Royal, it was posh! I looked up how to write reviews on the Voice website, including tips like `how did it feel to be at the event?’ and used these to interview the others.’
Toni was living in Gordon Anstis House, a YMCA hostel for care leavers in Redditch. She became a Young Arts Reviewer for Voice and explored local cultural events, building her confidence and leading others.
Creative Pathways
Voice’s mission is to tackle the continuing elitism across the cultural sector and the challenges faced by young people from diverse or working class backgrounds to build the contacts and experience for a creative career. We seek out young people with less access to arts provision for social or personal reasons and we open the door to experiences on their doorstep. Then our Creative Pathways programme offers a progression route which includes opportunities, training and work experience on the magazine. We’re proud that 70% of our trainees now work in the cultural sector.
‘Being a trainee journalist on Voice magazine has helped me feel more confident. I have been able to develop new skills such as recording video content and interviewing. This has made a huge impact on my professional life as I have been able to find a job with Sky Sports as a result of my time in this role.’
Ali was unemployed before joining Voice as a trainee for 6 months, then moved straight into employment.
Youth Voice Training
You may already know our Youth Voice Training programme, previously run under the Upstart brand. Our offer will not change, just the branding! Our training and services for organisations will operate under the Voice brand and will be closely aligned to our work to share and strengthen young voices on Voice magazine. Explore our Youth Voice Training offer here on this website.
Please keep in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook as @voicemaguk.
We really look forward to working with you in future!
Diana Walton, Director, Voice