YOU CAN’T FIND YOUR VOICE

IF YOU DON’T USE IT

About The Voice Lab

The Voice Lab began as a grassroots initiative in Lanarkshire, Scotland, responding to the community's need for accessible vocal training and performance opportunities. As a Charity, we reinvest all profits into expanding our programs and deepening our community impact.

Working in partnership with local groups, we've developed a unique approach that combines vocal education with personal development and community building.

OUR MISSION

Is to help young people find their voice, build confidence, and develop essential communication skills through inclusive public speaking programmes.

OUR VISION

Is a Scotland where every young person — no matter their background — can express themselves with clarity and confidence, shaping their future and their communities.

Our Approach

  • Young people are involved from the beginning, helping shape activities, identify real-world speaking scenarios that matter to them, and determine how success should be measured.

  • We provide authentic platforms for young people to use their voice in ways that matter, from school assemblies to community forums to digital media projects.

  • We establish psychological safety through group agreements, progressive challenges, positive reinforcement, and a focus on growth rather than perfection.

  • Programmes draw on young people's own stories, cultures and interests rather than imposing standard speaking topics or styles that may feel disconnected from their lives.

  • Activities gradually increase in challenge, starting with low-risk speaking opportunities and building toward more public platforms as confidence grows.

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”

Margaret Gilmour - Founder of The Voice Lab

The voice lab

The voice lab

OUR VALUES - CLEAR VOICE

We live our values in everything we do

Courage - Speaking up with confidence even when it feels challenging, and supporting others to take brave steps in sharing their voice.

Learning - Growing through reflection, embracing feedback, and recognising that finding your voice is a journey, not a destination.

Equality - Ensuring every voice matters and every story counts by actively addressing barriers to participation and expression.

Authenticity - Valuing being real over being perfect, celebrating genuine expression rather than polished performance.

Respect - Listening deeply and sharing with care, creating spaces where different perspectives are honoured.

Voice - Recognising the power in both speaking up and making space for others, valuing your own and others' perspectives equally.

Openness - Recognising the power in both speaking up and making space for others, valuing your own and others' perspectives equally.

Inclusion - Creating spaces where everyone belongs and can participate fully, adapting our approaches to meet diverse needs.

Confidence - Building belief through practice, celebrating progress, and recognising that confidence grows through supportive challenge.

Empowerment - Supporting young people to use their voice to create positive change in their lives, communities and beyond.

Meet Margaret

The Voice Lab was created and is led by Margaret Gilmour. With professional expertise in journalism, youth coaching, and motivational training, Margaret brings over 30 years of experience in coaching, mentoring, transformational learning, and youth development.  She is also a producer and journalist with 10 years’ experience working with various news outlets including 7 years with BBC Scotland as a Broadcast Journalist on Reporting Scotland and The Nine News –  all of which sharpened her skills in storytelling, interviewing, and presenting – skills she now passes on to Scotland’s next generation.

Her credentials include:

  • MA Journalism (former BBC Scotland journalist & documentary producer)

  • SQA-qualified Assessor & Verifier

  • CIPD-accredited Trainer

  • Speech and Drama coaching

  • BSc in Health and Social Welfare

  • Extensive delivery for Glasgow University & Glasgow Guarantee apprenticeship programme

  • Mentor to hundreds of young people, specialising in public speaking and mindset development

  • Expert in motivational interviewing, unlocking behavioural change through storytelling and dialogue

 

Margaret Gilmour - Founder