History of Soundabout

Soundabout – the trainers

Soundabout trainers have a national reputation for delivering unique in-classroom training for teachers working with children with complex needs. They teach staff to use Soundabout methods with confidence, not just for music and communication sessions but as a tool for learning right across the curriculum. They are full of inspiring ideas to enthuse and motivate staff and give them a fresh approach.

Soundabout was launched in 1995 in Oxford with the aim of empowering school staff working with children and young people with special needs to make music interactively with their pupils with severe and complex disabilities. The enthusiastic response to this project by both pupils and school staff suggested that a permanent staff training programme would be welcomed in schools across the UK. In December 1997 Soundabout was officially founded as an independent charity.

Since then, Soundabout has blossomed and is now a national charity that has pioneered the use of music, sound and movement to give even the most disabled children and adults a voice, a way to express themselves and be listened to.

• 60% of Soundabout’s work is in schools and colleges
• 40% of our work is community-based

Over the past 3 years we have carried out training in over 100 schools and colleges across Britain from Inverness to Truro delivering 161 training days to over 1,000 staff and through them reaching about 1,300 children.

An elected Executive Committee (the Trustees) has overall responsibility for the organisation’s direction and management, assisted by the employed staff and freelance trainers.