SEND CHILDREN IN HARROW UNITE FOR INSPIRING MUSIC SHOWCASE

SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLCHILDREN IN HARROW UNITE FOR INSPIRING MUSIC SHOWCASE

environment matters harrow SEND showcase — SEND *environment:matters* participants perform a song they composed about the environment

On Wednesday 21 September, our environment:matters project in Harrow culminated in an inspiring musical showcase at Harrow Arts Centre.

Children from three special schools performed original pieces of music, composed and written alongside Create’s professional musicians during a project funded by The Atherton Family Charitable Trust.

environment:matters is our project providing SEND children in London and Manchester with access to high-quality, collaborative creative arts workshops exploring the theme of “the environment”. The project uses music and other artforms to help participants understand the climate crisis, how their own actions might affect the environment, and how they can help bring about change.

“i LEARNT THAT WE SHOULD RECYCLE!”
PARTICIPANT

the power of music

This latest strand of the project took place in Harrow, with students from Alexandra School, Shaftesbury High School and Woodlands School teaming up with professional musicians Paul Griffiths, Mike Poyser and Filipe Sousa. Under expert guidance, the children wrote original songs about the environment, which they performed in a showcase at Harrow Arts Centre.

Simon Lewis, Performing Arts Lead at Shaftesbury High School, shares why creativity for children with SEN is so important.

One participant (12) from Shaftesbury High School, said: “The project made me feel happy. I enjoyed the instruments, and that everyone was in beat with the music. The environmental theme was amazing. I learnt that we should not be using plastic, and that we should recycle.”

Another participant from Alexandra School enjoyed the environmental theme too, and said: “We sang about swimming in the sea. I love the ocean. Paul [Griffiths] is such a good music maker and singer. I liked writing music. Singing makes me a little bit nervous but I feel happy!”

Many proud parents attended the final showcase, eager to see what their children had created. One mother said: “My daughter is taking part in the Create project today and I’m excited to see her perform. She loves being creative, she loves art, she loves music. Creativity helps her to imagine and it takes her to a different world, away from the pressure.”

Why is this project important?

The climate emergency affects us all, and everyone deserves to have a voice on this important topic. environment:matters ensures that SEND young people can learn about and discuss environmental issues, expressing their opinions through the creative arts.

A 2020 UNHCR General Assembly concluded that “Economically, institutionally and socially marginalised people are less resilient in the face of the adverse effects of climate change. This particularly applies to an estimated one billion persons with disabilities worldwide. They often have the least capacity to adapt to climate change, while being virtually ignored in preparation and response measures.”

SEND *environment:matters* participants perform a song they composed about the environment

Simon Lewis, Performing Arts Teacher at Shaftesbury High School, said: “It’s really important to inform and empower young people with special educational needs about the real issues they face as human beings in today’s world. This project has got all of our students, regardless of their levels or abilities, to think more consciously about the decisions they make and the footprint they leave.”

“This project has made our students think more consciously about the footprint they leave.”
simon lewis, community Partner

Nicky Goulder, Create Founding CEO, said: “It has been incredible to watch our inspiring participants go from strength to strength during this environment:matters project in Harrow. They have made great strides in their musical skill, confidence and awareness of environmental issues. Most importantly, though, the beaming smiles on their faces say it all. A huge congratulations to our amazing participants for putting on a spectacular show. And thank you to The Atherton Family Charitable Trust for making this vital project possible.”