We are a charity organisation that supports good causes and positive change in the UK and around the world.
Neurodiversity Projects
Music4children began delivering creative activities for neurodivergent young people in 2016, working primarily with 13-25 year olds. The focus throughout this time has been on making music, with art and poetry featuring on occasions. During these sessions, we have engaged participants of all ability levels, tailoring activities to meet the individual needs of each young person. These carefully planned workshops have consistently delivered transformative impacts on our regular attendees:
- They are able to communicate better;
- They support one another and make group decisions;
- They collaborate and build meaningful creative projects together;
- They can express themselves safely and explore their identities;
- They have built resilience and gained self-confidence.
Our first collaboration took place in Margate, where we worked with members of Cool Crew. These were all young people who attended Quarterdeck Youth Hub (recently renamed Northdown Road Family Hub). We partnered with the venue from 2016 to 2025, and highlights included:
- The purchase of a very popular karaoke machine;
- Receiving recognition from the Turner Contemporary art gallery for a poem the group had written;
- A very successful project in which the group wrote and recorded a song together, made a music video, and worked on a graffiti wall at the centre. You can watch the video below
We have also been working with the Count Me In Project since 2022, at Somers Town Youth Centre in Camden. Although this project began relatively recently, we have already seen great progress:
- Some of the participants have performed at, and received recognition from, the Camden Youth Awards Ceremony;
- Some of the participants have formed a band, and they write and rehearse together on a regular basis;
- We have enabled most of the participants to practice in the music studios at The Roundhouse in Camden.
Listen to the Street lights Song
Feedback
"Young people build on many existing skills and gain many new skills."
"The music workshops have added richness to our programme and enables us as staff to build on our skills to then offer young people a new creative platform."
"The music workshops have added richness to our programme and enables us as staff to build on our skills to then offer young people a new creative platform."
Catherine Andrews
Senior Youth Worker (Camden's Integrated Youth Support Service)
"Many of our young people have had little success at school and had a negative experience of learning as they often fail at reading and writing, maths, etc. However through music they learn rhythm, can express themselves through dance, can learn simple songs and perform them to the group which in turn helps with language skills, coordination, self-esteem, self-worth. Every young person who attends the Cool Crew engages and enjoys music and has a positive experience of learning."
Sally Parrett
Early Help Worker (Quarterdeck Youth Hub, Margate)
Vulnerabilities online
Recent research suggests that neurodivergent young people are particularly vulnerable to the influences of online extremism. You can learn more about these vulnerabilities and the associated safeguarding recommendations here.
