Amplify in Numbers

In 2025 The Sound Lab delivered a record level of tuition via our Amplify programme: 1550 hours of free education and mentoring for individuals who have experienced some form of truama, marginalisation or disadvantage. In total, we worked with 645 unique participants across the year.

• 499.5 tuition hours for young people with a disability or additional support needs via our Amplify: Access strand. 324 unique participants reached.
• 724.5 hours were delivered for individuals with lived experience of displacement via Amplify: Bonvenon. 226 unique participants reached.
• 325.5 hours were delivered for care and/or justice experienced children and young people, via Amplify: Musicares. 96 unique participants reached.

• 24 volunteers contributed 269 hours of free support
• Over 50 instrument or equipment loans issued
• 14 students supported to perform live
• 3 students supported to access higher education opportunities 
• 55 different partner organisations across 7 local authorities (with the vast majority of sessions happening in Glasgow City). 
• 10 young people guest-hosted our radio residencies ​

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Our Impact

Via our Monitoring and Evaluation framework we continuously evaluate with students and parents/carers/lead professionals/teachers to find out about the impact that Amplify is having within the life of each student.

Our key outcome indicators include:

1. Improved mental health and wellbeing
2. Improved social integration and connections
3. Improved confidence, capacity and resilience
4. Skills development
5. Improved aspiration, ambition and community engagement

1.    Improved mental health, wellbeing
Mental health benefits reported by students, parents and partners range from having fun and experiencing joy, to trauma-alleviation, decreased offending behaviour and positive emotional or behavioural change. In 2025 98% of Team Around the Child survey respondents reported that Amplify tuition played a positive role in the life of the young person they are responsible for (51 responses). Asked to share more detail, they cited improvements in concentration, emotional regulation and reduced offending behaviour.
 
“With I’s autism it can vary from week to week but after guitar lessons he is always in a good mood.” I’s Mum, Lillian.
 
“M's confidence and self-esteem have definitely grown, she enjoys herself and learns the importance of loving herself and doing things she enjoys. She feels supported and appreciates the opportunities she is given to learn a musical instrument despite her family being in very difficult financial situation. M also feels welcomed in Scotland, so presents happier in herself.”
Maryna McKeown, Support Worker, Glasgow HSCP

2. Improved social integration, engagement and connections
Our tuition offers young people who are at risk of social isolation an opportunity to connect with others, collaborating with peers in order to develop their interests and make friends. For those at risk of social isolation, e.g. children with caring responsibilities, or those not engaging with mainstream education, Sound Lab offers a space to meet new peers and develop positive, productive relationships. Our ‘Build A Band’ project, launched in 2025 has been a strong example of this working in practice:
 
“At the end of the session, it was really sweet as K, T and F worked out they were all heading in the same direction to get their transport home and they decided to walk up towards Central together. They really seemed to get along and had a laugh throughout the session which was really positive - hopefully they’ll continue to get on well as we progress in the sessions.”
Build A Band Tutor Feedback Note

“He finds it difficult to integrate. And sometimes is a little isolated. He found classroom environments very challenging but he likes to learn. This is giving him an opportunity to build this into his life at a suitable pace in an environment he can feel OK in.”  M’s mum, Amy 

3. Improved confidence, capacity and resilience Amplify tuition is a non­judgemental, participant-led space where young people are given autonomy, control, and self-belief. All Sound Lab students who receive 1:1 tuition are supported to set their own goals and development targets. Tutors provide opportunities for students to reflect on their learning and take pride in their development. Providing a platform for students (many of whom are not engaged in mainstream education) to set and achieve their own goals is key to fostering self­worth and confidence, increasing resilience and capacity.  100% of students reported their confidence had improved as a result of tuition via Participant Evaluation in 2025 (78 responses).

4. Skills Development Once a student sets out their goals, our tutor works alongside them to develop their skills, providing any additional support to access the instruments and opportunities they need in order to reach their positive destination. 72% of Team Around the Child respondents confirmed that the young person they support had been engaging independently with music between lessons, developing their competency and cultural engagement. 100% of students completing Participant Evaluation in 2025 said that their creative skills were improving as a result of taking part in Amplify, and 100% said they would like to continue learning with us. Whilst responses predominantly referenced creative skills development, students and partners also report improvements in language skills (for asylum seeking and refugee students) and social skills.

5. Improved aspiration, ambition and community engagement Our relationship-based support enables young people from marginalised backgrounds to believe in themselves and access further resources and opportunities in the community.
 
Young people need a platform, and via broadcasting, performance, networking and recording opportunities, we support students to participate in Scotland’s social, economic and cultural life.10 students hosted our community radio shows on Clyde Built Radio and Radio Buena Vida in 2025, reporting on the impact of tuition in their lives, in their own words. Favourite episodes included Maryam (July) Elina (Sept) Jas and Jax (Nov).

Download our 2025 impact report