Why?
Writing lyrics and music is a great way of expressing feelings and getting your voice heard – children in care in Hull came together to write a song based on their experiences for anti-bullying week. They wanted to encourage everyone to respect each other’s differences and call out bullying behaviour – a theme that Young Voices In Care (YVIC), Hull’s Children in Care Council, identified as important after reviewing their Bright Spots survey findings in 2021.
What?
A group of around 10 children in care and care leavers worked with a local music hub to develop ideas for lyrics and learn about song structure and composition. They wrote a song called ‘Shine Bright’, which fcouses on celebrating and respecting each other’s differences. YVIC members wanted the song to be an anthem for all young people in Hull. They wanted to show that our differences, rather than being used as a wedge to divide us, can bring people together and make a stronger society.
From this simple and powerful message, the chorus was created:
Be yourself, be proud.
Don’t apologise for who you are.
You matter, give yourself the chance.
Your life is just beginning,
so shine bright,
Shine bright.
Shine bright.
Not content with just writing the song, YVIC also lent their voices to the first recording of Shine Bright.
The song is one of many creative ways children in care in Hull are getting their voice heard.
What difference is it making?
The song was premiered during anti-bullying week at a packed venue full of children, carers, staff and councillors: “Tonight we filled the Albemarle Music Centre to sing with our children in care. Why? To show our children and young people that they matter!”
It was proudly sung at the annual children in care Christmas sing-along – where it was announced Shine Bright had been chosen as Hull’s ‘Song for the City 2025’. An instrumental version of Shine Bright is now played as the ‘hold’ music for all callers to the Hull City council customer service phone line.
The campaign reached across Hull, with YVIC members leading activities to promote kindness and difference, including encouraging council staff to wear odd socks.
This case study was shortlisted for the Campaign Award at the A National Voice Awards 2025, and came in 3rd place.