An open door, not a stage
We help people who have been left out of the conversation find their voice, be heard and feel welcome.
Everyone deserves to be heard
Speaking up is hard for lots of people. It is even harder when you are new to a country, still learning the language, or used to people not listening.
Yet speaking up matters every day — in a job interview, at college, at the doctor's, with a landlord, at the school gate. Confidence can open doors.
Welcome Voices runs free, friendly workshops that build that confidence. We work with local groups people already know and trust, so the first step feels easy.
Everything we do should feel like being greeted at the door by someone who is glad you came.
Meet Karsten
Karsten Huttenhain is an actor and speaking coach based in Edinburgh. He has nearly 20 years' experience in theatre, theatre-in-education, film and TV.
He has also worked as a science communicator with Edinburgh Science, running workshops in schools across Scotland. He knows how to make a room feel safe, lively and fun.
Karsten was born in Germany and grew up in the UK. He has lived and worked in several countries — so he knows what it feels like to start again somewhere new.
Welcome Voices brings the tools he learned on stage to people who are too often unheard.
What we are like
What guides everything we do.
Welcoming
Everyone belongs here. Come as you are.
Never exclusive or clique-y.
Warm
Kind, human and generous with our time.
Never pitying or “saviour” in tone.
Playful
We laugh, move and make noise.
Never silly about serious things.
Encouraging
Small steps count. We celebrate them.
Never pushy or obsessed with performance.
Clear
Simple words, short sentences.
Never full of jargon.
Strengths first
People bring skills and stories. We help them be heard — we do not try to “fix” anyone.
A sister to The Speaking Edge
Welcome Voices grew out of The Speaking Edge, Karsten's speaking confidence coaching business. We use the same practical methods, rooted in real acting technique.
But Welcome Voices is its own organisation, with its own purpose. We are being set up as a community interest company (CIC) so that our work stays focused on the community and any money we raise goes back into it.
Let's make some noise together
Whether you want to join a workshop or work with us, we'd love to hear from you.