Removing barriers to participation

At the heart of your music making is the people, whether that's members, potential members or audiences. But if you're struggling to attract new people or keep your current people engaged, could there be barriers that you're unaware of?

Use the resources below to review and make the changes you need to welcome more people.

These resources aren't exhaustive, and we're constantly reviewing, updating and adding to them. We would be happy for you to contact us with suggestions. 

• Creating an accessible and inclusive group
• Welcoming new people by building diversity and inclusion
• Inclusive communications
• Planning and running accessible and inclusive activities
• Combining online and in-person rehearsals
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy and plan
• Links to specialist resources
• Webinar recording: Everyone welcome?: access and inclusion solutions for groups and events

Guidance on removing barriers

• Webinar recording: Preventing and managing hearing loss
• Performing in care homes
• Access for all: Top tips for welcoming people with physical disabilities
• Top tips for engaging with people with dementia
• Top tips to reduce barriers for older audience members
• Take it away - guide to buying adaptive musical instruments

Social prescribing

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

• Webinar recording: Social prescribing – what is it and is it for your music group?
• Webinar recording: Social prescribing for music groups
• Social prescribing resources
• Social prescribing templates for music groups

LGBTQ+

Sometimes LGBTQ+ people encounter barriers to getting involved in music making, but by making some simple adjustments to your practice you can work towards creating a more inclusive environment where they can thrive in your group.

• LGBTQ+ inclusion guide
• Working with transgender singers
• Glossary of LGBTQ+ terms

Making Music has launched an Access and Inclusion working group made up of members who want to spend time thinking about and discussing their own inclusion work. The group meets online for two hours, two or three times a year and stays in touch with each other online. If you’d like to find out more, take part in the group, or receive regular emails about our Access and Inclusion support programme, email
include@makingmusic.org.uk

We hope you find this Making Music resource useful. If you have any comments or suggestions about the guidance please contact us. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the content of this guidance is accurate and up to date, Making Music do not warrant, nor accept any liability or responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the content, or for any loss which may arise from reliance on the information contained in it.