by Author Pete Moser

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A Day in the County!

Out for a day across Lancashire with Darren Leadsom, Education and Inclusion Manager at More Music. Two meetings and two hours of car conversation bring together a great deal of thinking. It feels like they show a maturity in the work and also a knowledge of where we are and what can be done. Satisfying.

First in Burnley at the office of Mid Pennine Arts (MPA) – a partner for 20 years on a series of music and cross cultural projects. We called the meeting so that 5 organisations all working across the 2 districts of Burnley and Pendle could bring together their knowledge and skills. We want to ensure that effective partnership is taking place. Feel great!

Ben from Lancashire Music Service. Shonagh from MPA Paul from In Situ Jay from Burnley Youth Theatre and us from More Music.

Over 90 minutes we share what we do, collect information, define our key issues and start to fashion some collective actions. Feels very good and as if there is a clear set of common values and aims. Also a common set of issues to discuss (workforce, issues around religion and music, fundraising). The meeting also connects with our three key Fund C areas of work – strategy, workforce development and direct activity. Lets see where it goes!

30 minutes down the road to Blackburn Youth Zone where we are meeting to discuss, firm up ideas and launch the first phase of a 2 years Youth Music funded project called SOUNDTRACKS. It is being run by Sue Ridyard at Blackburn Music Service for the Blackburn Music Hub. We are Mentoring  and bringing Our knowledge of pedagogy and practice Our understanding of Youth Music Our experience of working with the outcomes approach Our history of managing teams Realism born of experience.

Good meeting. Good luck to the team working there. We have a role to follow up over the next 2 years as the project develops. Car ride home reflects on the day and also touches on a series of other projects we are working on together. New Hub website (about to launch) SEND projects in various schools. Masterclasses in 3 Further Education colleges Cold spot projects in Fleetwood and Morecambe..

And so it goes on !