A PROJECT aiming to provide equal access to the arts for people with learning disabilities has secured a Youth Music grant to support a two-year pilot project.

Young people up to the age of 25 with and without ‘learning disability’ or ‘autism’ labels will be provided with the support and opportunity to develop instrument playing, song writing and performance skills and to experience how it feels to be a member of a band through the ‘Jam Buddies’ project.

It will include weekly ‘buddied’ instrument lessons and practice sessions followed by a group jam, so that developing instrument skills and new musical learning can immediately contribute to the creation of original music. Participants will also create live and recorded performances, learn how to record and edit music and have the opportunity to achieve Arts Awards.

Jam Buddies will be evaluated by young people and adults with and without ‘learning disability’ or ‘autism’ labels. No previous experience of research or evaluation will be necessary. Support to develop these skills will be provided by The Turning Tides Project.

Jane Williams, director of The Turning Tides Project said: ‘The Turning Tides Project aims to make equal access to music, the arts and life a reality for people with ‘learning disability’ or ‘autism’ labels. This Youth Music grant gives us some support to further this aim.’

Work to recruit both participants and evaluators for Jam Buddies is now underway. More information will be available in October with taster Jam Buddies days planned for December and January. All details will be published on the Turning Tides Project website and will also be available in other formats.

Every year, Youth Music provides more than 75,000 young people with the opportunity to make music, helping them to overcome the challenges they face in their lives.

Youth Music projects like Jam Buddies support young people to develop their creative and social skills, make positive contributions to their community and improve their wellbeing. To find out more about Youth Music’s mission to give every child the chance to make music visit www.youthmusic.org.uk.

If you’d like to find out more about Jam Buddies and the other opportunities available through The Turning Tides Project visit the web site www.theturningtidesproject.org.uk or get in touch by e-mail at theturningtidesproject@ hotmail.com or ring 01363 772512.