About
The partners in the SWAG (Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire) musical inclusion programme wanted to capture the impact of their work with young people through a series of case studies written for both advocacy, and learning/evaluation.
Young people facing the greatest barriers in learning and in life are often those who can benefit most from making music. Yet often they’re the least able to access opportunities to do so. SWAG Musical Inclusion was a programme funded by Youth Music and others, which addressed this challenge, It worked with young people not in education or employment (NEET) or at risk of becoming so; those experiencing emotional, social or behavioural difficulties; looked-after children; or those with special educational needs.
How I helped
Anita worked with the partnership over a number of years to research, interview, write and design the case studies. The case studies were used to advocate and explain the work to funders and commissioners of services. As a direct result of the case studies, soon after they were published, one of the projects secured a long-term contract with a school and were in discussions with another.
Anita later wrote a second series of case studies which explained the practice in more detail. They explored how the projects came about, and the successes and challenges: the aim was to pass on the learning to other practitioners/policymakers.
Read the case studies:
First series:
Wiltshire Youth Arts Partnership Music Matters – re-engaging Jack in learning and in life
Wiltshire Music Centre Zone Club – a place for us, learning disabled young people
Roses Theatre and Gloucestershire Music Makers – developing a young music leader
Second series:
Salisbury Arts Centre – outreach with learning disabled young people