I’m Hannah, and I’m a Co-Founder and Creative Director at Soundcastle.
I lead our music and mental health recovery programmes in West Sussex, including People’s Music Collective in Shoreham, and co-deliver our Mental Health First Aid and workplace wellbeing training. I also facilitate music sessions directly, which is still one of the best parts of the job - being in the room, making music, and witnessing its lasting impact.
My love of music started early. I wasn’t from a musical family, but I was determined to learn the flute - and wouldn’t stop pestering my parents until they gave in! I studied classical flute at the University of Nottingham, where I became fascinated by the social role of music. I researched the divide in Western cultures between musicians and non-musicians and was drawn to traditions where music is more integrated into everyday life - like the Kaluli people of Papua New Guinea, who sing with waterfalls and see no separation between human and natural sound.
That belief - that everyone is musical - led me to Soundcastle. We build spaces where music is accessible, collaborative, and rooted in wellbeing. My approach is grounded in inclusion and curiosity. Music is a human right. We’re not just developing musical skills - we’re helping people find their creative voice, connect, and express themselves. It’s about shared leadership, teamwork, listening, and knowing when to take space - or when to step back.
Looking forward, I want to see a world where everyone knows they are a musician. Where creativity is a given, not a luxury. For Soundcastle, my dream is to continue embedding long-term music programmes that genuinely change lives - and to use our Mental Health First Aid offer to create ripples of positive change across the wider creative sector. Working with my friends to make this happen is something I feel grateful for every single day.
Say hello at @TeamSoundcastle!