Using music to connect.

Using music to connect with hard-to-reach groups across the UK

We discover what impact a digital musical education project is having upon hard-to-reach groups and how social workers can get involved in similar projects across the UK.

What is Connect:Resound?

Connect: Resound is a pioneering digital music education project - it enables young people to receive instrumental tuition online, in real time, from a local teacher.

It began life exploring ways of delivering music tuition to children living in rural areas where travel and time costs make it challenging for Music Education Hubs to reach as many pupils as they would like. Youth music charity NYMAZ has now led trials across the country, from Cumbria to Cornwall, and identified a high quality but costeffective model of offering real-time virtual lessons.

There is real potential for using this method to engage children in other challenging circumstances. We are currently investigating how the model can support those with mental health issues, Looked-After Children, young refugees as well as those not in Education, Employment or Training.

Why is it so important for children and young people to have access to musical tuition?

We know that music has the power to change lives: it can enable personal and social development, raise aspirations and enhance career prospects. It is also a fun and creative form of stress-relief!

You’ve done a lot of work to support young children with mental health issues. How has this project supported them?

Some participants have difficulty accessing mainstream provision because of issues like social anxiety, attachment disorders or agoraphobia. Online tuition gives them access to musical opportunities even if they are not regularly attending school or feel uncomfortable with group activities or face-to-face interactions. The sessions can build confidence and connections, as well as helping ease young people back into mainstream provision, if and when this is appropriate.

In Surrey, you recently trialled this project to enable vulnerable groups (such as young refugees, unaccompanied asylum seeking children and those in foster care) to gain access to musical tuition online. What was the impact of this project?

It gave the young participants a chance to enjoy a music learning experience that they otherwise would not have had. We observed musical progress and lots of independent learning, as well as an enhancement of communication and language skills. Levels of engagement and focus were particularly high - to the extent that the tutor at the Further Education college was overwhelmed by the concentration displayed by some of their most challenging students.

How can digital learning and initiatives such as this be used by social workers to engage with hard-to-reach groups?

This technology goes beyond school boundaries. It can be used to engage hard-to-reach groups in their own environment or at a place where they feel comfortable, for example at home, at a youth centre, through virtual schools programmes, or in Pupil Referral Units. It provides a focus for young people, helping them build confidence and new skills.

"It can be more challenging to ensure that the most vulnerable young people have equal access to the arts"

Connect: Resound is supporting Music Education Hubs to work with social workers and other local partners to create new pathways to participation in music for young people who may find it harder to access the existing provision.

What can social workers learn from this project and how can they get involved in future initiatives?

Creativity and music are an essential part of any child’s life and education, but it can be more challenging to ensure that the most vulnerable young people have equal access to the arts. We are working in partnership, building links between virtual schools, social services, prevention services and Music Education Hubs, to create more music opportunities using digital technology.

We have funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Education and Learning Through the Arts: More and Better Fund, along with Music for All, to work with more Music Education Hubs and to continue

exploring new applications for this technology. If you are interested, start discussions with your local Music Education Hub and keep up to date by joining (free of charge) the NYMAZ Remote Music Learning Network at www.nymaz.org.uk/networks where we will announce opportunities to get involved.

CASE STUDY

What was the project?

A pilot project that tested a series of blended face-to-face and digital distance learning music workshops and lessons with a range of young people across Surrey. 82 remote lessons to 27 young people were delivered in saxophone, piano, violin, voice, guitar, drums, music technology and production.

Why did you target those in foster care, young refugees and Unaccompanied Asylum- Seeking Children? (UASC)

One of the project aims was to reach young people that weren’t accessing Surrey Arts’ existing offer through digital distance learning. It enabled us to build working relationships with those working to support these young people (i.e. foster carers and tutors), and to understand barriers to engagement.

What was the impact of the project amongst these groups?

All participants were able to try learning a musical instrument – and the majority want to continue with lessons. Students felt that music helped them to express their feelings, and to feel happy. Because this project happened through a medium (digital) that young people were comfortable and familiar with and could happen in their home or school/college environment without them having to go to a ‘new’ space it removed psychological barriers to participation.

The digital element also placed a natural distance between tutors and students, which for some of the young people felt safer and more comfortable than face-to-face interaction. Finally, the project increased digital literacy and skills whilst also familiarizing young people with the safe, positive use of technology and online learning.

Find out more:

If you would like to find out how you can get involved in the Connect: Resound initiative, visit connectresound.org.uk or phone 01904 543 382. Alternatively, email emily.penn@nymaz.org.uk