A charity which is dedicated to helping young people gain access to the joys of music has opened a studio which musicians to practise and perform their work.
BBC Online reported that the Music Works charity has invested £1.8m in developing The Hub, described as a state of the art studio which includes a sensory room and recording studio.
The Hub has opened in Gloucester, where The Music Works is based, and details of the facilities and location – a short walk from the city’s railway station – can be found on the website at https://www.themusicworks.org.uk/
The studio is described my The Music Works as fully accessible with an accessible stage, powered doors throughout and accessible loo with a winch and changing bed.
The charity says it has a custom-fitted sensory room with vibroacoustic equipment for disabled, deaf or hearing-impaired young people.
It also has musical instruments and interfaces to engage people who cannot access conventional instruments as well as an adjustable lighting system for people who have sensory issues.
The Music Works also operates SoundSpace, another accessible studio in Cinderford, Gloucestershire.
Gloucestershire musician Xenon Bourne told the BBC he had used the sensory room to make music.
He said: “It’s just a nice way to let loose and express yourself in lots of ways. A good party vibe, I feel.”
Gloucestershire musician Ben Pollard, said he has been enjoying using the facilities: “As a disabled musician I think it means a lot basically. Forget all the other music-based places I’ve been to – this one is just insane.”
The Music Works creative music director Malaki Patterson said: “We have targeted programmes to make sure that those people who may find barriers or challenges to get them into a space, are broken down so they can feel welcome.”
The BBC reported that the studio has opened up many opportunities for residents of Foundation House, a long-term residential care home for people who have physical and learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries.
Foundation House senior facilitator Jess Hobson said: “There’s so many places that we just can’t access and it could be as simple as there’s just some steps getting into the building or the staff don’t know how to interact with our residents.”
“We have some residents who are non-verbal and they’re able to express themselves in other ways by being here, so it’s just an incredible place.”
