Our work in Medway, Kent has gone from strength to strength and we are delighted to report on a bumper year of activity.
Live Music Now is delivering a place-based programme in Medway with music activities supporting positive outcomes for communities and individuals across the life course. We could not do this without the strong partnerships we have developed with Medway Council, Medway Libraries, Medway Citizens Advice, Royal Engineers Museum, AgeUK Medway and local grass roots organisations including Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club and Intra Arts. Our activity is free to participants at point of delivery, providing musical engagement to those who will benefit the most.
Here is a summary of the work that we have achieved this year.
Medway Veterans’ Social Mornings
This project, aimed at supporting military veterans in Medway, tackled issues of isolation, loneliness, and limited access to essential advice services. It provided guidance on challenges such as housing, benefits, and debt. Veterans were invited to free music and social events held at The Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham, where they could also enjoy a complimentary breakfast. An advice worker from Medway Citizens Advice Veterans First was available at these events to connect attendees with specialised support services. The initiative was made possible through funding from the Utley Foundation.
Participant feedback revealed that attendees connected with new people, felt more positive about themselves, gained a stronger sense of community and became aware of and accessed specialist advice available to them.
‘We have been able to speak to veterans at every event and give follow-on advice and support through appointments at our office.… As a traditionally hard to access group, there was extremely high engagement at these events. Many of them have told Citizens Advice how important it is for events such as this to be held at a regular place that they can attend.’
– Jack Lewis, Advice Services Manager, Citizens Advice Medway
The Cut of Her Cloth
Click on the images above to see some of the artwork and musicians performing in more detail.
The summer saw this two-year project run by Intra Arts and Live Music Now come to a close. The project celebrated ten women leaders of Medway through textiles and music. Live Music Now musicians collaborated with local community groups and care homes to write and record a song for each of the women leaders.
‘Happy and proud of what we achieved […] The Musician made sure we all felt welcome and valued. Made the session so much fun.’ – Workshop participant
‘Oh wow!! This is so beautiful! Such an honour and a tribute to all at MACA […] Thank you Dani and all at Live Music now for such an amazing project x” – Carol Stewart, Chairperson Medway African and Caribbean Association
All Together Now
This programme of inclusive, social mornings of live music is designed specifically for families of children with additional learning needs and disabilities. These relaxed music sessions are for the whole family to enjoy and experience together. We are delighted to have secured a second year of project funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and are planning a series of weekend family events at Hempstead Library and Danecourt School
‘I really enjoyed it and it benefited all 3 of my children. 2 who have SEND and 1 who doesn’t. It was lovely to watch them be able to participate in something together.’
‘It was so nice to be somewhere without other parents judging, we were all in the same boat and the guitarist was in tune to the SEN kids needs. We come out very pleased.’
Funded by #UKSPF and supported by Medway Council and Medway Libraries.
Medway Special Schools
Live Music Now aims to help special schools develop their music provision and support better educational and life outcomes for pupils with additional learning needs.
With funding from The Cherry Family Foundation we worked with three special schools: Abbey Court, Danecourt and Rivermead. We delivered participatory concerts with all three and worked with Abbey Court on a three-day Inspire project. This intensive music project was delivered by three Live Music Now musicians working with the same four classes for the duration.
‘Learners were able to experience instruments that I would not be able to give them access to.’ – Teacher, Rivermead School
‘The project gave individual teachers and support staff ideas and techniques to engage pupils in music in different ways and one ECT said she was going to use several of the techniques and songs she has learnt from the project.’ – Teacher, Abbey Court School
Songs & Scones - Medway Libraries
Our ongoing Songs & Scones programme engages people living in the community who face loneliness and isolation. Monthly concerts take place at local libraries in Medway, commissioned by Medway Council. Performances from Live Music Now’s carefully selected and trained musicians are followed by equally important social time and refreshments.
‘Medway Council is delighted to be a partner and support Song & Scones with Live Music Now since April 2022. This programme aligns perfectly with our priorities as a local authority and has helped create a community safe space for older people living independently in the community who may feel isolated, to come together and meet new people in a welcoming and accessible environment. The benefits and the outcomes of the project are far reaching across multiple Council services.’
– Robyn Goldsmith, Culture Development Manager, Medway Council
What's Next?
The Lullaby Project
Next year we will be bringing the Lullaby Project to Medway for the first time.
This project pairs musicians with new mothers and families to co-create, sing and record a personal lullaby for their baby.
Our Partners
