A minivan filled with DJ decks and a music studio is not what you’d expect to see on the average Wednesday in Cheltenham, but The Music Works is all about bringing music to everyone. Their music bus drives around providing opportunities to discover a passion for music in unconventional settings, and it will be back in town centre on December 13.
The Gloucestershire based charity aim to improve the lives of young people through music, and regularly work with over 4,500 people aged 8-30. The charity cater to everyone, from people’s first access to music, all the way to career and talent development, and activities happen in their state of the art studio spaces in Gloucester, local schools, and their music bus.
The Music Works has managed to reach over 8,000 young people, with a 40% reduction in the number of participants experiencing low well being, according to their 2023 Impact Statement. The staff clearly believe in their mission, with Katie Dainty stating “throughout history, music has uplifted and united people from diverse backgrounds. It’s a simple and accessible tool to empower, uplift, support and spark creativity in young people regardless of their background or any barriers they face elsewhere in life”.
While The Music Works is open to any and all, a large part of their work focuses on making music accessible for disabled people. Their IncDrop program offers an after school club for young people with additional needs to make music in a relaxed and accessible environment. They supply musical instruments for people to use, or people can bring their own, and have completely accessible facility including power door, lifts, accessible staging, vibracoustic equipment for deaf and hearing impaired young people, and a variety of instruments to engage those who cannot access conventional instruments. They also drop in at the children’s ward of Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals on Friday mornings to run 1-1 and small group sessions of music therapy for long term patients, and patients dealing with anxiety surrounding their stay.
To learn more about The Music Works and their many sessions and events, click here.
