Stories / case studies: music work with young people in challenging circumstances

A short post to share a range of promotional as well as evaluation/practice-sharing stories and case studies about work with young people in music. Many of the case studies and activities were supported through Youth Music’s Musical Inclusion programme.  

It’s been a privilege to talk to these music leaders about their work and hear the stories of the young people they work with and the difference that music has started to make to their lives and futures. Thanks to everyone who I spoke to and all who’ve been involved.

2017/18 – promotional stories / case studies for The Music Works

• Beth aka ‘Grove’ gets a start in the music industry
• Jenny finds a new way of coping with her mental health
• Richard feels accepted and grows in confidence
• More stories …

2016 – promotional case studies for Youth Music
Due to the date range of permissions, only the following case study is still live:
Beth and Jack’s story

2015 – practice-sharing case studies

• Salisbury Arts Centre – outreach with learning disabled young people
• Swindon Music Service – developing a choir in an Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) centre
• Wiltshire Youth Arts Partnership – working in an EOTAS setting
• The Music Works – inclusion work in a mainstream school

2014 – practice-sharing case studies

• Wiltshire Music Centre – Learning disabled young people: A place for us and for our creativity 
• Wiltshire Youth Arts Partnership – Music Matters: Re-engaging vulnerable young people in learning and in life 
• Roses Theatre Tewkesbury & Gloucestershire Music Makers – Investing in a young music leader: small cost, for a long-term impact

2013 – promotional case studies for Gloucestershire Music Makers (now The Music Works)

• Michael’s story: from Hospital Education to performing live
• Charlie’s story: getting back into learning through music work in PRU setting 
• Home-schooled pupil finds confidence and concentration through music

To read more about musical inclusion work …

Read this book:
Reaching Out: music education with ‘hard to reach’ children and young people.

Find out more about Youth Music:

Youth Music (the National Foundation for Youth Music) is the leading UK children’s charity using music to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people.

Its mission is to work in collaboration with others to create a musically inclusive England (described for musicians/organisations, described for general public/funders).

It does this by funding and supporting music work with children and young people in challenging circumstances: addressing gaps in provision, increasing opportunities, and improving effective practice and outcomes.

With thanks to Malcolm Pollock for the largest of the photos above; and to the projects for all other photos.