Young At Heart

Part 2- Reflections and Learning

We were at our granddaughters wedding the other week and boy did it make us feel old especially when the electronic dance numbers all kicked in. So how come a couple of oldies come to be running a Challenge for kids? First answer we're not sure - it kinda happened. Secondly, we're old what else would we do - we've by and large heard all the options.

Thirdly, more seriously, as we said in our previous post we believe we can make a difference.

So Glee has become part of our own personal journey. It gets the old brain cells working, it has it's own moments of high stress; it takes a lot of work; we have the occasional fall out but the lows and stresses are out weighed by the highs and in 2025 there were some huge highs with the National Final being the icing on the cake. Underpinning all of this is a capacity to be constantly alert to what is happening elsewhere, local or worldwide, and being open to new ideas. We constantly graze looking for new possible ideas and whether they would fit while garnering the views of our schools and team members.

Last year we made several changes most would say they were small changes but as an aggregate they continued us down our stepped growth strategy and in such a fickle world kept us relevant. In 2024 we made a huge decision to headline the National Final and we continued that for 2025. The result greater awareness, coverage, increased attendance, greater numbers and a stronger brand footprint. Likewise changes in venues also helped convey a stronger brand presence and positioning helping us to reach new participants. Other changes - introducing flexibility in the set songs, running choirleader/teacher workshops, refreshing the scoring system,

how we feedback on those results and so on - all designed to keep the Challenge relevant. .

One of the biggest changes was employing staff and having to bring in new ways of working and allowing us to focus on improving the Glee experience. The process was quite an experience for us all but it worked. Unfortunately due to personal circumstances our new member of staff has left us - we may see her again but meantime we're looking again at we need. And that's the thing - we're constantly refreshing our ideas, our thoughts, our way of working in order to make that difference.

And yes, there's a few new things coming for next year.

I need to put some learning in here

• have a raison d'etre - as I said earlier - we believe in the difference Glee can make

• be open to new ideas, ways of working, new places or new friends

• surround yourself with young people, more importantly young at heart people, who have a positive outlook and share your enthusiasm for what you do

Finally, I met an old footballing friend from many years ago last week. He told me of how he had recently retired from work and was enjoying the poddling around the house and garden. While that may work for him we both baulked at the idea. The time for that may come but for now we'll try and remain young at heart.