Musical Inclusion Programme

Future Sounds Project

Future Sounds is a free, welcoming music production project for young people aged 12 and over taking place at the Hemmingwell Community & Skills Centre in Wellingborough.

Young people can explore making music they care about — including beats, songwriting, recording, vocals and production — in a relaxed, supportive environment with experienced musicians.

No previous experience is needed. All equipment is provided, and young people are welcome to take part at their own pace.

Please choose the option below that best describes you to sign up for this project.

I’m a parent / carer

I’m a professional / agency

Our Musical Inclusion Programme is focused on providing access to music for those living in the most challenging of circumstances and who, consequently, may not have the same opportunities as others to take part in high-quality music activity. We work with children, young people, and adults whose life situations create barriers to participation, using music as a tool for connection, expression, and wellbeing.

Children and young people we work with include:

  • looked-after-children or those who have experienced the care system in some way
  • young carers
  • those suffering from mental ill-health or with additional emotional / behavioural needs
  • those with SEND including physical, mental and learning disabilities and communication disorders (e.g. autism, ADHD, etc.)
  • visually impaired and deaf children
  • those attending pupil referral units
  • those are not in employment, education or training (NEET)

We also work with adults facing similar challenges, including:

  • Adult carers and former carers
  • Adults with physical or mental health conditions
  • People experiencing isolation or bereavement
  • Adults with SEND or sensory impairments
  • Refugees and asylum seekers
  • Those facing socio-economic hardship or living in marginalised communities

Projects are often undertaken in partnership with other organisations, e.g: third sector agencies, local authority service providers, special schools/DSP units, alternative educational providers, community support groups.

The activities we deliver are always shaped by the views, interests, and needs of those taking part, and co-designed wherever possible.

The aim of the Musical Inclusion Programme is to develop a sustainable, inclusive musical infrastructure across Northamptonshire and Rutland – one that reflects the diversity of the 21st-century music industry and nurtures the musical and creative talents of all, regardless of age, ability, or background. Musically inclusive practice and equity of access remain at the heart of all we do.

Other Musical Inclusion Programme Projects

Broadmead Music Club is a free, inclusive after‑school music club for children who benefit from a supportive social space.
  • When: Tuesdays (term time), 4.30–5.30pm
  • Where: Broadmead Community Church, Northampton
  • Cost: Free (limited places)
Broadmead Music Club is a welcoming, group‑based after‑school club where children and young people explore music together, build confidence and develop friendships.
Activities include singing, songwriting, music technology and playing accessible instruments such as ukuleles and keyboards. No previous musical experience is needed. The club is particularly suited to children who may:
  • be young carers or care‑experienced
  • have more moderate learning difficulties or SEND
  • find social situations challenging
  • benefit from extra support to build confidence and wellbeing
Important to know:
Broadmead Music Club works best for young people who can take part in a small group setting with light‑touch support. It is not a specialist one‑to‑one provision and may not be suitable for children with more complex or high‑level support needs. If Broadmead isn’t the right fit, families can discuss alternative NMPAT opportunities.
Express your interest here: https://bit.ly/NMPATbmdclub

This group meets every Monday during term time, from 4.30-5.30pm, at Northamptonshire Carers, 123 Midland Road, Wellingborough, NN8 1LU.

The project is for those aged 7-16 years and aims to improve emotional resilience, build confidence, increase musical and social skills, promote agency and independent learning, and help participants develop a sense of community. Students have access to keyboards, ukuleles, guitars, music technology, singing… and include a range of creative activities including songwriting and composition. Membership of the group is completely free, although places are limited.

Contact ssteptoe@nmpat.co.uk for more information.

Musicians Assemble is an inclusive music ensemble for young people aged 11+ with complex physical, communication or learning needs, including those who are non‑verbal or who use specialist mobility equipment, who love sound and music.
  • Adapted instruments and accessible music technology
  • Sensory and creative approaches to music‑making
  • Led by experienced inclusive music tutors
  • Fully accessible venue
  • Opportunities to perform alongside other NMPAT ensembles
Sessions are free, take place up to five times a year during school holidays, and places are limited.
Register your interest here: https://bit.ly/NMPATinclusive
If you have any questions, please contact Simon Steptoe: ssteptoe@nmpat.co.uk

Free, relaxed music sessions for children with SEND and their families
  • Dates: Saturdays 16th May, 13th June & 4th July
  • Time: 10.30–11.30am
  • Venue: The Masque Theatre, Latimer Arts College (NN15 6ST)
  • Cost: Free – no booking required
Relaxed Singalongs are welcoming family music sessions designed for children with special educational needs, communication differences and disabilities. Led by specialist artists, sessions include well‑known songs and activities adapted for different ages and abilities.
A signer is present and Makaton symbols are used to support understanding. Parents and carers attend with their children, and siblings are very welcome.
For more information or to discuss individual needs: ssteptoe@nmpat.co.uk

Over the past few years, we have been working with Rutland County Council’s Aiming High Team, providing music activities for their Youth CHAOS group (over 18s with special education needs and disabilities) as well as groups of young carers and looked after children.

Participants usually work with us over 3 days, developing and writing lyrics, then crafting these into a completed song alongside professional musicians. On the final day, the songs are recorded on-site using state-of-the-art recording equipment and then streamed on Soundcloud and available for participants to download.

Sound Control is expressive music software for children and young people with special needs and disabilities

This is our action research project with Dr Rebecca Fiebrink who is currently a Reader in Creative Computing at the University of the Arts London’s Creative Computing Institute. Rebecca has also worked with companies including Microsoft Research, Sun Microsystems

Research Labs, Imagine Research, and Smule, and previously taught at Princeton University and Goldsmiths University of London.

Originally supported through a “Test and Explore” grant from The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, this initiative has developed a new piece of interactive music software designed to help children and young people with special needs and disabilities express themselves through sound and music.

You can download the software here.

Learn more about the software via this video on YouTube featuring our Musical Inclusion Programme and Partnership Manager, Simon Steptoe.

From time to time, we have additional resources available to support and subsidise other activities.  This can include instrumental lessons, instrument hire and membership of NMPAT County Ensembles and / or attending a Saturday morning music Centre. We can also provide activities for those interested in music production and DJ-ing.

Our activities have enabled many disadvantaged young people to make substantial progress in their musical education, whether for relaxation or to help them achieve their dream to have a career in music!

 Young people we are aiming to reach include those in challenging domestic situations (e.g. looked-after, young carers); not in/at risk of not being in education, employment or training; suffering from behavioural and/or mental health issues.  There is also a priority focus within these groups on those with special education needs/disabilities, including neurodivergence and/or those from socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
This element of our work in 2025, supported by Northamptonshire Community Foundation, is the result of research we undertook in 2024 with partners and stakeholder which recommended:
  • The need for further safe and inclusive/accessible music opportunities based in a variety of locations/spaces with access to musical instruments and singing
  • More opportunities for participants to play music together with their peers in groups
  • The need for activities to be regular but allow for flexible attendance (e.g. as capacity/health issues allow)
  • Creative and expressive music activities (e.g. music clubs) that provide social interaction, supporting the development of life skills and independence, as well as peer support.

For further details about this area of work, please contact Simon Steptoe, Musical Inclusion Programme and Partnership Manager on: ssteptoe@nmpat.co.uk or through the main office on office@nmpat.co.uk or 01604 637117.

Reach the Stars programme

The Reach the Stars programme delivers practical music education with and for children and young people with additional needs.

Music Production programme

We are able to offer music production group lessons online, as well as individual lessons in our fully equipped studio.