Meet Mattie – our new ‘Routes’ project coordinator

We’re delighted to welcome Mattie to the team to support with the realisation of Saffron’s new ‘Routes’ project, which will focus on removing barriers to music tech for adolescent girls and gender non-conforming individuals in the South West.

We sat down with her to chat about her background, motivations and hopes for the year ahead. 

Tell us a bit about you and your background professionally/musically.

I’m Mattie, I’m a youth worker and radio presenter. I’ve worked in a variety of youth & play work settings across Bristol, including Adventure Playgrounds, outreach work, targeted work, and youth clubs. I entered the radio world about 4/5 years ago, since then, I’ve presented and co-hosted shows on stations across Bristol and London. I was part of term 3 of Saffron’s Radio Broadcasting course, which is where I created and aired ‘The Home Soil Show’ for the first time. I present The Home Soil Show every Monday night on BCFM Radio, and co-host the One Love Breakfast Show on Monday mornings. The Home Soil Show is all about how music fits into our everyday lives; our conversations, communities and our connections.

What drew you to this role and to Saffron?

This role combines my two passions: working with young people and music! Music can empower young people in so many different ways: therapeutically, creatively, cognitively and socially. I love everything Saffron stands for: values, mission and vision. Working to create meaningful, impactful change and a solid infrastructure for women, non-binary and trans people in the music industry is something I am determined to do. Young women, girls and gender minorities should have equitable access to music education, spaces, pathways and opportunities. On a personal level, I would not be where I am in my career without Saffron. I never even thought music would be an option for me. I want more young women, girls and gender minorities to be able to confidently say they can do it; whether it’s to build a passion, skills or career. 

You’ve joined us to manage our new ‘Routes’ project. What do you find most exciting about this project? 

Being able to co-design the project with young people! Far too often, you see an adult led agenda in place, which isn’t a representation of true youth participation and engagement. Also, the collaboration with ACE and Music Works – two incredible organisations with immense talent, skills and expertise in Music, youth and community work.

Any specific hopes for the year ahead?

To see the routes project come to life. To develop as a presenter and creative! I’ve got lots of projects in the works…

Saffron is grateful to Youth Music’s Catalyser Fund for supporting our step into schoolswork, as well as to The Music Works and ACE, who we are excited to be partnering with on this project.