Led by Emmy Lahouel, Interim Head of Engagement, and Melanie Macharia, Engagement and Agency Alumni Coordinator, from Contact Theatre, we started with a grounding check-in, inviting everyone to reflect on how they were showing up that day. The group were soon up on their feet, playing a quick-fire clap game to welcome us into the room and raise the energy.
We then set off on a tour of Contact Theatre, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the building. From performance spaces to the media suite – packed with instruments and production equipment – the group explored the many creative possibilities the venue holds. For many, it was a chance to see a cultural space not just as an audience member, but as a potential creator.
After a well-earned snack break, the focus shifted to the theme of communication.
Melanie led a lyric-writing workshop, inviting the group to explore communication in leadership through poetry. It began simply: a mind map of words. But what emerged was something much bigger – a shared language of values and experiences.
Words like understanding, empathy, honesty, democracy, teamwork and friendship filled the page. Each one carried meaning, reflecting how the group saw leadership and connection.
From there, the group split into smaller teams, each given a pair of these words. Their task: create lyrics inspired by communication in leadership.
What followed was powerful.
Each group crafted thoughtful, expressive pieces – part poetry, part storytelling – that captured their ideas and voices. When shared aloud, there was a real sense of pride in the room. These weren’t just lyrics; they were reflections of everything the group had explored throughout the programme.
From there, the group was then split into small groups, with each group given a pair of words from the collective list. They were then tasked with writing lyrics to a song about communication in leadership. Each group came up with powerful pieces of poetry which were shared with the group.
Tilly and Victoria wrote:
I remember the times
When communication was a mission
But there was one condition.
We all came from different tribes
And there was a difference in our lives,
Then we had a vision, that ignited our composition.
The music that made us listen and confronted our segregation.
We are people, there’s no reason for our separation.
To close the day, Emmy shared her personal journey into the creative industries. Her story resonated deeply – particularly because it was shaped in Manchester, by the youth opportunities offered at Contact Theatre. For the group, it was a powerful reminder that creative careers don’t follow a straight line. They evolve, shift, and often appear in unexpected ways.
A key takeaway of the group was how creative careers aren’t linear – opportunities come where you least expect them, there are many different types of jobs within the cultural sector.
As the session came to an end, the group took time to reflect on the programme as a whole. They spoke about the experience of visiting different cultural venues across Manchester, meeting creative professionals from a range of disciplines, and trying out new creative practices along the way.
When asked to describe their journey in just one word, their answers said it all: Confident. Curious. Inspired. Motivated. Proud.
And perhaps that’s the best measure of the programme’s impact.
We’ll leave you with some of their reflections:
“It felt nice to hear other people’s experiences and know what they go through to get to where they are.”
“I liked doing the tours and seeing the new spaces.”
“I liked knowing that there are opportunities out there.”
“I liked how in every different venue, there’s been something different to do. Every single time, didn’t know what to expect.”
“I like meeting new people, learning about buildings and learning about people’s pathways.”
A huge thank you to Contact Theatre for having us, and to Emmy and Melanie for organising such a meaningful and inspiring final session.
As one journey ends, another begins – we’re now recruiting schools for the next Creative Leadership Programme (2026–27). If you’d like to be part of it, we’d love to hear from you. Read more here: Call for Expressions of Interest: Creative Leadership Programme 2026-27
