'Creativity and learning with SEN groups should have no boundaries'
Social Enterprise Mytime Active’s creative music project ‘ArtsTrain’ formed a new partnership with local autism charity CASPA. ArtsTrain and CASPA worked together to develop a programme of inspirational music activities for young people with high functioning autism & autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
The project was developed with input from both organisations and was designed to use music as a tool to develop the young people’s social and communication skills, build their confidence and increase their chances of full integration into mainstream music provision.
CASPA’s young people often struggle to make sense of the world and other people, experience bullying due to their behaviours and suffer from depression and anxiety which can lead to challenging behaviour, self-harm and further self-imposed isolation.
It is well documented that music therapy can improve the emotional, social and cognitive development of autistic young people. However, when looking into creative music opportunities for ASD young people locally it was clear that provision is disjointed and varied in terms of quality.
The aim of this project was to explore a variety of different music genres and music-making techniques. After speaking with a range of local SEN organisations and schools it was clear that certain types of provision such as; music therapy, drumming and soundscapes were common place, yet none of these organisations incorporated popular/ urban music in their provision.
This project was designed in consultation with the young people and their choices helped shape and inform the session content. The project was delivered from The Link Youth Centre in St Pauls Cray. According to Sound Connections ‘Mapping of non‐formal music provision…’ research, this area was highlighted as a ‘cold spot’ and an area of high deprivation.
The youth centre’s community music studio was the heart of the project and formed the basis for a large amount of the learning and development. Two of ArtsTrain’s most experienced music facilitators Abimaro Suit and Emmanuel Imeure led this project and delivered 10 weeks of creative music making sessions covering a range of genres and skills.
“Abimaro and Emmanuel as tutors they have brought confidence out of the young people and helped develop them so much. Their characters are so warm and genuine. I have observed them taking the time to listen and be genuinely interested in seeing how the young people have been over the project when greeting them at the start of the session. They cause the environment to be a very positive and infectious one where all are made to feel happy and comfortable. This has been the best project completed thus far the staff were RIGHT!”
(Sarah Towler - Programme Manager CASPA)
“The ArtsTrain tutors have been amazing they are so brilliant! Their management of the young people was just brilliant. The enthusiasm of the young people to engage and take part was just so amazing. “
(Daniel Lee- Programme Manager CASPA)
Professional DevelopmentThe project had a genuine focus on 2-way CPD between CASPA and ArtsTrain staff. Each organisation brought different areas of expertise including; music-making/ education, ASD and youth development. A key part of the project was the on-going reflection sessions which helped to capture some of the learning below.
What has been learnt by ArtsTrain staff?
Abimaro Suit – Lead Music Facilitator
“It has been really good and useful to have the CASPA staff in each session. They provide really great support with regards to communication. It made me realise the importance of environment. Half of the job is already done as the CASPA staff have created a fun and relaxed environment where the young people are happy and comfortable to communicate.”
“I have tried to be clearer with my explanations and this has definitely developed throughout the process.”
“The young people involved have a multitude of ideas so smaller groups have been the solution to this, in order to focus on fulfilling their needs.”
“Unlike typical scenarios where I work with young people and they require a lot of help with coming up with ideas or sometimes prefer to be given ideas; this group is happy to create their own ideas and in fact create many ideas. I have then changed my teaching perspective to guide and steer them in these ideas and making them a reality rather than to lead.”
Emmanuel Imuere – Lead Music Facilitator
“The preparation meetings ahead of the programme really did help to eliminate potential problems and identify specific young people’s needs. This has been a real benefit when planning the programme”
“My patience in tutoring and delivering to the young people has developed. It can sometimes take a while to develop an idea that is completely youth led, but the impact of the end result has been overwhelming”
“Treating the young people with no differing standards because of special needs, hence still having the same creative expectations and safe guarding boundaries.”
What has been learnt by CASPA staff?
“Creating a neutral and open environment that allows a variety of musical styles to come together.”
“Not to be daunted about producing tracks which include large numbers of YP, because the process can be structured so that the group don’t need to all be active at the same time”
“Seeing how the studio was run was really interesting and learning about the studio management was also great!”
“We are hoping to sustain the music project as an ongoing activity using experience and knowledge gained working alongside Emmanuel and Abimaro.”
“ It was great to see first hand the power that music had on this project to encourage the young people to write and produce music which expresses the challenges they’ve overcome personally, their successes and what’s important to them!”
“It was good to reaffirm that our YP are capable of pulling off a project like this with the right level of support. We knew they could but when you see it actually come together it’s good to be proven right!
Youth Feedback
A youth consultation was completed with 10 young people from the project, below are some of their responses.
What do you think you have learned as part of this project?
“I’ve learnt how to structure my ideas and sacrifice ideas that may not work in order to make my songs simple and effective. Also I have learnt how to work as a duo opposed to just a solo.”
“Being part of a team”
“How it is possible for anyone to express themselves in a beautiful manner if they focus on doing so.”
Do you feel your confidence has improved during the project? If yes why?
“Yes because now I know the girls will be running towards me when they hear my voice”
“Yes it is the first time I have sung”
“Yes, I am now confident that I can sometimes get the courage to perform in front of others”
What has been your favourite part of the project and why?
“Hearing the finished product of my song has made me feel elated, because I love the feeling of everyone singing along to my catchy lyrics.”
“Learning how to sing and improve my vocals”
“Recording with my friends was really cool”
Has the project provided you with your first experience of anything new?
“I do music GCSE but this is the first time I’ve been able to record my voice professionally.”
“Being in a studio and singing with a group of other people”
“Rapping and recording a CD as a duet”
How does creating music make you feel?
“I exhibit all types of emotion when creating music. When things are working it gives me a great rush of adrenaline, but when everyone started singing along to my song, knowing they have my song stuck in their head filled me with elation.”
“It feels like I am going to explode with joy!”
“Helps me build my confidence and reduce my anxiety to make me feel happy”
Have you enjoyed working with the tutors? If so what do you like about the way they run the music sessions?
“Yes! Enjoyment is not even the word! I’ve loved every second of working with them. They freely let you create the song you want to create while giving professional advice to help us improve.”
“Yes as they support me and help boost my confidence”
“Yes they are nice people and have a good heart”
Constructive feedback from 1 young person from CASPA, who was not actively involved in the music project
“The sessions have been very successful at bringing some of the young people together to write songs, which is fabulous. However, I disagree with the way that they take up the full two hour CASPA night, as those of us that do not take part may miss out on socialising with some of the group.”
I think this young person has raised a valuable point. If we were to run the course again perhaps it would be good to have a very informal drop in style session for a short period of time for people who want to engage but not commit to the more formal provision.
“For many of the young people it was the first opportunity to access popular/ urban music. There were many young people who also experienced their first involvement in rap and music production, whilst others worked for the first time on collaborations together ‘and worked very well may I add’.” (Emmanuel Imuere – Music Facilitator)