Bringing music to the wards - Fabrice's story

Fabrice loves to sing. “I've been making music since I was young – since I was born!” says the 18-year-old, who grew up in central Africa but moved to the UK with his family in 2014 and now lives in the North East of England.

Fabrice experienced some serious mental health problems which led to him spending several months in hospital last year. Making music with the Singing for Health project has given Fabrice some of his happiest memories from a difficult time.

10 year journey to becoming a music leader - Kallum's story

Kallum, 24, is a rapper from Cambridge who’s been taking part in music-making projects run by local youth charity Romsey Mill since he was 14.

With their support, he’s made huge progress in developing his lyrical style and technical skills. And he’s now taking on additional responsibilities as a music leader – helping younger participants write, record and produce their own material.

Expressing themselves through songwriting - Shelby, Phoebe, Kylie and Shona's story

Shelby, Phoebe, Kylie and Shona took part in a music-making project run by My Pockets at the Astra Youth Centre young carers’ group in Hull.

The girls, aged between 12 and 14, are all carers for siblings or parents who have additional needs or long-term health problems. As part of the project, they co-wrote a powerful song about their experiences.

Songwriting has helped them express their feelings, improved their relationships with their families – and earned them local celebrity status with their track being played on BBC Radio Humberside!

Discovering a career in music - Chi's story

Chi, 21, is a beatmaker and music producer from Oxford. The Beat Route project, run by the Ark T Centre, has helped him learn new skills and work out a direction for his future.

“I make quite a bit of chilled music, trap, drum & bass, anything and everything – it depends on my mood at the time,” says Chi. “I use Logic and Pro Tools to record a whole range of people, so it could be guitars, bagpipes, singers – I’m happy to record anyone!”

Chi’s currently studying for a degree in audio production at the prestigious SAE Institute, and working towards a career in music. It’s a big turnaround after going through some tough challenges when he was younger.

“I feel like I’ve found my own voice.”- Charlotte, Dwight and Finlay's story

Charlotte, Dwight and Finlay are all in Year 11 at Co-op Academy North Manchester. They took part in Exchanging Notes – a project in partnership with local music organisation Brighter Sound – which provided valuable experiences both inside and outside the music classroom during Years 7-9.

They’re now all taking GCSE Music – and they say that the project has played a big role in their musical development, as well as improving their confidence and ability to express themselves.

The Take it away Consortium

This report originated from surveys produced by the Take it away Consortium: a partnership between Creative United and Take It Away, Drake Music, Music for Youth, The OHMI Trust, Open Up Music, and Youth Music. These organisations are all committed to supporting Disabled musicians.

Recommendations from Reshape Music

The findings from Reshape Music tell us that a number of changes are required to make music and music industry careers more accessible to Disabled people.

Sam Denniston on Being Disabled in the Music Industry

“I have managed to do exactly what I wanted to do and I’m not a full able-bodied person firing on all cylinders. If that message could get out to anyone who needs it, that would be great."

Arts Council Member and disability champion Andrew Miller on increasing accessibility and support for Disabled musicians

Interview with Georgina Spray, co-researcher

Georgina, a co-researcher on our new report, Reshape Music, shares her experiences of making music.

Interview with Hunter Stiles, co-researcher

Hunter, a co-researcher on our new report, Reshape Music, shares his experiences of making music.

Interview with Holli Pandit, co-researcher

Holli, a co-researcher on our new report, Reshape Music, shares her experiences of making music.

Interview with Leo Long, co-researcher

Meet Leo Long, a talented folk musician using his passion to inspire change and make the music industry more inclusive.

How To Get Yourself Out of a Creative and Mental Slump

How music venues saved me, and why we need to save them: A Love Letter.

Last night another band saved my life! Well, actually, it’s been three months and 18 days since another band saved my life, and with each day in lockdown feeling eerily the same as the last, my patience is dwindling. Seeing live bands feels like something I used to do in a past life... 

This pandemic has brought so much universal pain, anxiety and confusion I still hear myself on the phone to my mum saying “what the hell is going on?” There is so much sadness, loss and a feeling of trepidation for what will come in the aftermath. More than ever we are turning to the comforts of the arts to sustain us; my comfort is, as it always has been, music - especially the live stuff.

Jemma Tanswell - Reform Radio, Manchester

What makes youth radio special? Learn how real artist partnerships and a responsive, needs-led approach inspire and empower young people.

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