At this year’s Youth Music Awards, One World Orchestra’s Souria Boudina was shortlisted for the Inspirational Music Leader Award, a recognition of her outstanding contribution to our work with musicians, families and people seeking sanctuary.
For Souria, attending the awards in Liverpool was a special moment.
“It’s my first time here. I’m so excited and a little nervous.”
Just eighteen months ago, Souria arrived in the UK with her children after experiencing unimaginable loss and upheaval. Today, she is a valued volunteer, cultural bridge and advocate within One World Orchestra, helping others find connection and confidence through music.
One World Orchestra’s Darren reflected on her remarkable journey:
“We’ve watched Souria go from arriving in this country eighteen months ago to being nominated for a national Youth Music Award. It’s a huge journey.”
Souria’s connection with One World Orchestra began when the organisation visited the hotel where she and her children were living. At the time, her family was struggling to adapt to a new country, a new language and a dramatically changed life.
Her children spoke Arabic and had become withdrawn. Communication was difficult, but music offered another way forward. She told me “Music doesn’t need language.”And she is right.
Through music workshops, instruments and creative activities, her children slowly began to reconnect with the world around them.
“They gave them drums, guitars and piano. Step by step, baby steps. It helped them express themselves again. It didn’t make them forget their father, of course, but it helped them engage again.”
Souria firmly believes that music changed her children’s lives. As she told me, “music cured my kids”, giving them a way to reconnect with the world when words alone were not enough.
Witnessing that transformation inspired Souria to give something back.
“I wanted to help other children suffering the same thing as my kids. I wanted to be visible role model for other asylum-seeking families.”
She began volunteering with One World Orchestra, supporting activities in hotels and community settings for people seeking sanctuary. Drawing on her own experiences, she helps people feel welcomed, understood and included.
One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Souria described what music means to her:
“Sometimes religion can stop people. But in music there is no stop. There are no barriers between language, culture or religion.”
It is perhaps the simplest and most beautiful explanation of why organisations like One World Orchestra exist.
Souria did not win the Inspirational Music Leader Award on the night. But after hearing her story, the result felt almost beside the point.
Her courage, compassion and generosity shine through everything she does. In just eighteen months she has rebuilt her life while helping other families begin to rebuild theirs.
The award may have gone elsewhere, but Souria reminded everyone in the room what real inspiration looks like.
Before we finished talking, I told Souria not to worry about the awards ceremony. Anyone who heard her speak would recognise the sincerity, courage and kindness behind every word. She spoke straight from the heart, and that is a rare and beautiful thing.
One World Orchestra is supported by Arts Council England through the National Lottery’s Let’s Create programme.
About the Author
![August [Photo Credit_ Nicole Osrin]](https://northernexposuremagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/August-Photo-Credit_-Nicole-Osrin-150x150.jpg)
