Putting Community Voices at the Heart of Our Work

At Soundabout, we recognise the vital importance of ensuring that the voices of our participants, families, primary carers, and practitioners are not only heard, but meaningfully reflected in everything that we do.

We are committed to continual learning and reflection so that our work can grow, evolve, and respond to the needs and experiences of the people that we work alongside.

Listening in Action: Our Experts by Experience Groups

One way we bring this commitment to life is through our quarterly Experts by Experience groups. We host dedicated sessions for parents and carers, as well as for our Graduate Emerging Leaders.

These groups provide a safe, supportive space where individuals can share their thoughts, feedback, stories, and lived experiences of engaging with Soundabout’s programmes and services.

Crucially, these insights feed directly into our trustee board meetings. This ensures that the real experiences of participants, families, and carers remain central to our strategic planning, decision-making, and future development.

Listening in Action: Evaluation and Continuous Learning

We also gather feedback through ongoing evaluation across all of our programmes, sessions, and activities throughout the year.

We invite input from participants, families, carers, and practitioners using a range of approaches, including:

• Questionnaires for parents, carers, and participants.
• Practitioner reflective diaries.
• Interviews with parents and carers.
• Direct feedback from participants about how they feel.
• Reviews of video and audio recordings.
• Practitioner observations.

This wide-ranging approach helps us build a rich, well-rounded understanding of the impact of our work.

A recent example is the evaluation of our Youth Music Catalyser Fund project (2023–2026). Through this funding, we were able to:

• Develop our Sounds Together and Sounds Virtual sessions.
• Expand and enhance placements for Emerging and Graduate Emerging Leaders.
• Deliver a broad programme of training and professional development for internal and external music practitioners working with Learning Disabled people.

Equally important was the dedicated time and space the grant gave us to reflect.

We listened carefully to participants, families, carers, and practitioners, learning what works, what matters most to them, and how we can continue to improve both what we offer and how we deliver it.

Through this process, we learnt new and better ways to:

• Create welcoming, responsive spaces.
• Support communication more effectively.
• Strengthen participants’ sense of self and agency.
• Develop and enhance inclusive facilitation skills among practitioners and Emerging Leaders when working with Learning Disabled people.

Looking Ahead: Sharing What We’ve Learned Through Sound Practice

From September 2026, we are proud to launch Sound Practice – our brand-new annual training programme.

Sound Practice offers a comprehensive, flexible, and practical pathway for anyone looking to develop or strengthen their skills in facilitating accessible, interactive, and creative music-making opportunities alongside Learning Disabled people with complex support needs.

This programme is directly shaped by the voices of our community, captured through our Experts by Experience groups and extensive evaluation work. It also draws on Soundabout’s specialist knowledge, innovation, and practice, developed over 30 years of using music, sound, and silence to create opportunities where Learning Disabled people can thrive.

Bringing all of this together, Sound Practice provides a clear and accessible training route, grounded in our unique methodology.

Who Is Sound Practice For?

Sound Practice is designed for anyone who uses, or who would like to use, music to enhance the lives of Learning Disabled people with complex support needs. This includes:

• Parents, family members, and primary carers.
• Teachers and teaching assistants.
• Care staff and volunteers.
• Freelance and student music facilitators.
• Music therapists.
• Other healthcare professionals.

Training That Fits Around You

The programme runs from September 2026 to July 2027, with modules taking place either:

• In person at The Platform, Swindon.
• In person at Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire.
• Online via Zoom.

You can choose to complete the full 11-month programme or select individual modules that best suit your interests, needs, and/or location.

Whether you are new to this work, or looking to develop your existing skills, Sound Practice offers a welcoming and supportive environment for you to learn and grow.