Campaigns and advocacy

In this recording of our webinar, our expert guest speaker presented the health benefits of taking part in the arts.

In this recording of our webinar, guest speakers discussed how to prevent and manage hearing loss.

Many of us suffer a smaller or greater hearing loss as we get older, particularly if we are involved in music-making, whether acoustic or amplified. This event talked about two aspects of this: how to prevent greater hearing loss which may be due to being exposed to loud noise and/or music in your private or working life; and what you can do if you do experience hearing loss, tinnitus or other issues. 

We welcomed the following expert speakers:

In this recording of our webinar (original event 18 November 2022), guest speakers discussed how to interact with policymakers in your area.

Leisure-time music groups are rooted in their local communities and their activity is most immediately affected by the policies and actions of their local authority. But how does that operate? Who are the right people to talk to? And when should you talk to them – when there is a problem or before? Should you connect to them anyway, so they know what you do and don’t inadvertently negatively affect your activity?

What is social prescribing and how can your music group benefit from it?

Social prescribing is part of the relatively new NHS personalised care programme and a way for GPs and local agencies to refer people to a link worker, who takes a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They then connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.

Making Music has partnered with the Singing for Health Network and other organisations to publish free downloadable guides on social prescribing for leaders of music groups across the UK, and for social prescribers (also known as link workers).

In this recording of our webinar (original event 23 September 2022), guest speakers discussed the national plans for music education in the UK nations.

We welcomed:

Our third meeting in the termly Climate Network series (previous events 8 October 2021 and 18 February 2022) was in partnership with the Association of British Choral Directors (abcd) and included contributions from speakers focusing in more detail on how music groups can implement sustainable policies, and the process of commissioning new music on the theme of climate change.

Our speakers for this event were:

In this recording of our webinar (original event 20 May 2022), guest speakers discussed what social prescribing is and how it could be a huge opportunity for music groups. 

Social prescribing is a key feature of the NHS’ long-term plan, which aims to strengthen the link between the local community and social activities such as music, sport, and arts. In this webinar, we discussed who does the prescribing, what kind of people are referred and what it would mean for your group to become ‘social prescribing friendly’.

We welcomed:

Our second meeting in the termly Climate Network series (original event 18 February 2022) saw contributions from Classical Declares Emergency and other speakers, providing inspiration and more ideas on what contribution music can make towards solving the issues associated with climate change - including a ‘repertoire corner’.

Our speakers discussed what contribution music can make towards solving the issues associated with climate change: