BUILDING CONNECTIONS THROUGH MUSIC: CREATIVE:CONNECTION IN MANCHESTER AND SALFORD
At Create, we believe in the power of the creative arts to connect people, build skills, break down barriers, and foster a more inclusive society. We designed our creative:connection programme to bring together disabled and non-disabled children, enabling them to build relationships and dismantle stereotypes around disability. Our recent project in Manchester/Salford, led by four of our professional musicians, brought this vision to life, offering young participants from four mainstream and special schools the unique opportunity to collaborate on music and lyrics.
In a society where disabled children have few opportunities to engage with their non-disabled peers, projects like creative:connection are crucial. Research shows that disabled children experience social isolation more frequently than non-disabled children, often with limited opportunities for interaction in communal settings. Further research reveals that disabled children often face barriers in accessing music education. creative:connecton tackled this head-on, creating a joyful, inclusive environment where participants could express themselves, learn new skills, and connect with each other.
gaining confidence through music and collaboration
Throughout the project, the young people grew in confidence as they learned to play instruments, write lyrics, and perform as an ensemble. For many, this was a transformative experience. One participant shared, “I enjoyed playing in an ensemble with the other school,” while another said, “Matt and Bethan [Create’s professional musicians] are amazing teachers; they make me feel more confident, even when I mess up.”
Staff at the schools noted the positive impact on those who typically struggle with confidence:
They have engaged really well, those who struggle with confidence and conversation came out of their shells to share their creation and their work.
finding joy and creative expression together
As the groups worked toward the final performance, the joy and camaraderie among the participants became evident. A parent in the audience shared, “He doesn’t ever tell us what he does at school [yet] every night this week, he’s come home and told us what he’s been doing, he’s loved it.” This feedback underscores the value of these inclusive spaces, where young people feel empowered to share their experiences.
creative:connection was part of Manchester Literature Festival and this year’s theme, Joy!, was beautifully expressed by the participants. They came together to create a new music piece entitled Mystic Bolero, which one of the musicians described as “very different to what school groups normally create — it’s on another level.” The power of shared creativity was palpable, with participants commenting, “It’s fun and it makes me happy” and “I liked the creative side, coming together to write the lyrics.”
the power of connection and community
On the day of the final performance, all four schools gathered to share their collaborative creations. Watching the students perform and seeing their pride in what they had achieved together was truly moving. One of the school staff members said, “I’ve had to stop myself from crying, please, please, please come back next year.” The musicians involved also noted the students’ hard work, with one saying, “Teamwork and creativity are absolutely great, producing two wonderful pieces of music. They have worked so hard.”
The feedback from both participants and staff reflects how projects like creative:connection build meaningful connections and foster an inclusive community.
