Report reveals the powerful impact city-wide music project had on thousands of children

A new evaluation report has highlighted the significant impact of Cardiff’s pioneering Codi Llais project, demonstrating how music can help young people develop confidence, creativity, a stronger sense of belonging and a collective voice.

The independent report, which assessed the city-wide singing and songwriting initiative delivered by Cardiff and Vale Music Education, found that the project successfully engaged thousands of children and young people while creating lasting benefits for pupils, schools and wider communities.

Codi Llais – meaning “raise your voice” – brought together children from schools across Cardiff through a programme of workshops, songwriting activities and live performances, culminating in a large-scale massed choir event. Bronwen Lewis, singer, songwriter and host of BBC Radio Wales’ morning show provided a surprise performance when she joined the massed choir and performers to perform two of her own songs and the song written by her and pupils especially for the project – ‘Codi Llais’.

The report identifies the project’s success in giving young people meaningful opportunities to express themselves creatively, build self-confidence and develop a stronger connection to their peers, schools and communities.

The findings show that participation in the project enhanced pupils’ confidence and willingness to perform, supported communication and oracy skills and fostered a greater sense of pride, achievement and belonging. The report also highlights the value of collaborative music-making in helping young people work together, celebrate diversity and develop a shared sense of identity through collective performance.

The evaluation found that the benefits extended beyond pupils, with teachers reporting increased confidence in delivering music activities and schools identifying positive impacts on engagement and wellbeing. The report also highlights the project’s contribution to strengthening music provision across Cardiff, helping to create sustainable opportunities for young people to access high-quality musical experiences.

Councillor Sarah Merry, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The Codi Llais report demonstrates the profound difference that music can make in young people’s lives. The findings show that when children are given opportunities to perform, create and collaborate, they develop confidence, resilience and a stronger belief in their own abilities.

“What is particularly encouraging is the report’s evidence of how music helps foster a sense of belonging and collective identity. Through Codi Llais, thousands of young people from different communities came together to share experiences, express themselves and find their voice.

“Cardiff Council is committed to ensuring that every child has access to enriching creative opportunities. Music plays a vital role in supporting wellbeing, developing communication skills and nurturing creativity, and the success of Codi Llais reinforces the importance of continuing to invest in high-quality music education for all our young people.”

The report’s findings support Cardiff Council’s wider commitment to ensuring children and young people can access opportunities that enrich learning, improve wellbeing and help them thrive. By investing in music education and creative programmes such as Codi Llais, the Council is helping young people develop the confidence to speak up, the creativity to innovate and the sense of belonging that enables them to fulfil their potential.

You can read the report here: Codi Llais Project Report – EH