Using music to support young people to engage with learning

Based in Gloucestershire, the charity specialises in supporting people in challenging circumstances to reach their full potential in music, learning and in life. There is a focus on young people excluded from school, and members of demographic groups traditionally under-represented in the music industry, including disabled people and people from minoritised groups. The Music Works is a young person led organisation. Four young adult trustees sit on the board, and a youth advisory group helps shape the charity’s programmes, activities and strategy. The Music Works has centres with studio space in Gloucester and the Forest of Dean, as well as working in schools and other community locations. In a typical year it works with over 4,000 young people.

The Music Works is underpinned by the idea that music can be transformative, and a recognition that traditional music education may not engage some young people. They provide opportunities for young people to develop creativity and life skills, make friends and have fun. For example, the Making It programme targets young people at risk of offending. 

One participant says: ​“I’d be in a cell without Making It. I was overwhelmed by how positively the programme impacted my personal life and my achievements and the recognition I had from people.”

In an initial project evaluation, some of the young people involved report feeling engaged with the process of writing, recording and performing types of music they are actually interested in. This is in contrast to how music is traditionally taught in school, where, one student said, you are ​“studying different types of music instead of actually doing it”.

A Year 8 student, after his first studio visit and mentoring session, commented: ​“Today was so good. I’ve never had a lesson before, but I would rather be making my own beat than learning to play music that someone is making me play.”