We are delighted to announce a new funding partnership with The Aloud Charity to support their initiatives to enable a breadth of high-quality activities which nurture the rising stars of the future. The work that The Aloud Charity to perfectly aligns with our ambition, improving the quality of life for young people across Wales through the power of singing. Our funding will help give 150 teenage boys from communities across Wales the opportunity to sing, providing a safe and nurturing environment for them to find their voices.
We are excited to announce a new partnership with the Welsh National Opera to support the education and social mobility of young people in Wales. The Welsh National Opera offers pathways for young singers aged 10 to 18 through music and drama, providing weekly workshops that develop singing, drama, and performance skills, culminating in an annual showcase event. The WNO ensures diverse participation from all social backgrounds through their Partner School Programme. Last year's 66 participants found the scheme inspiring, inclusive, creative, and fun, helping them build networks and make new friends.
“I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to be involved in the production and making friends”
“"Creative, enoucraging and inclusive”
“Youth Opera is inspirational, it makes you use your initiative and everyone has to be hard working.
“Everything has been superb”
2023 Programme Cohorts
The Siôn Mullane Foundation is proud to renew its partnership with The Brilliant Club to help disadvantaged students in Wales access top universities. Their Scholars Programme develops the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed for students to succeed. In Wales, only 4% of students from low participation areas attend the most competitive universities, compared to 22% from high participation areas. The pandemic worsened these inequalities, hitting less affluent students the hardest. The support from The Siôn Mullane Foundation will enable The Brilliant Club to continue supporting students across Wales to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence so they can reach their full academic potential.
“Learning with my tutor gave me an insight into how university life as a student can be. The course has given me the tools necessary to be able to be successful at any university I choose to attend with many basic skills that are required, such as essay writing and note-taking. Also, the course has allowed me to exceed in the sixth form as an added benefit of being exposed to university-style learning”
— Year 12 Scholars Programme Graduate 2023
We are proud to extend our partnership with the Lord Edmund Davies Legal Education Trust (LEDLET) for the second year to expand their Access to Law Summer Scheme in London and Cardiff.
Lord Edmund Davies, educated in South Wales, rose through ambition and hard work to become a distinguished judge in the House of Lords. Despite lacking a legal background or wealth, he remained connected to Wales throughout his career.
Our funding supports LEDLET's weeklong Summer Scheme, allowing up to 22 students to explore a legal career by spending a day with a solicitors' firm, a day in barristers' chambers, and a day in court with a judge. The scheme is free for students, with expenses and additional bursaries for suitable clothing covered.
15 Learning Sessions over 5 Days with 100% of students rates the overall content of the Scheme as either “Excellent” or “Very Good”
“I really enjoyed it as a whole, from the immersive university experience of living with people I’d never previously met to being immersed in the legal world for the first time.”
“A brilliant week communicating with different people across Wales with the same interests as myself”
— Participants, 2023 Summer Scheme
We are pleased to have supported Merched Yn Gwneud Miwsig, helping young women in Wales access the music industry through workshops led by female music professionals. These workshops covered industry intricacies and composing, and provide networking opportunities.
Our joint efforts reduced the costs, making these opportunities more accessible to a wider audience in Wales. Merched Yn Gwneud Miwsig, a project by Maes B and Clwb Ifor Bach, addressed the lack of female acts in UK festival lineups by encouraging and inspiring girls in Wales to enter the music industry, both as performers and behind the scenes. In partnership with the Urdd, they offer twice-yearly weekend residencies with workshops led by female music professionals.
“Best experience ever! If I had the chance to do this weekend again, I’d be in! I’m grateful for the friends I’ve made and to have the opportunity to meet the tutors who are people I look up to”
— Beth, Tywyn
In 2023, we supported Esports Wales in offering an 8-week Esports league to students at Eastern High School in Cardiff. This project aimed to combat social isolation during the pandemic and help young people develop relationships and digital skills, with the support of youth workers.
Forty students from years 7-11 participated in the league, which included casting and streaming workshops and a weekly "Rocket League" competition. Of those who took part in the technical workshops, 95% rated them 5 out of 5, and most reported developing new skills and experiencing positive impacts on their wellbeing. Cardiff Youth Service and Esports Wales successfully engaged students who typically avoid afterschool activities.
The Siôn Mullane Foundation funded this pilot project and collaborated with Cardiff Youth Service and Esports Wales to expand it, including exploring opportunities to provide equipment for competitions in multiple schools and communities.
