Campaigns and advocacy

In this recording of our webinar (original event 16 February 2024), we talked about our progress on our #MakeSpaceforMusic campaign, since its launch in Autumn 2023.

In this recording of our webinar (original event 20 October 2023), we learned about how local authorities work, and what music groups can do to influence their decision-making.

Our fourth meeting in our Climate Network series (original event 4 July 2023) saw contributions from the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group speakers, providing inspiration on what music groups can do to improve their sustainability, and also introduced the new Making Music Green Award.

The speakers for this event were:

In this recording of our webinar, our expert guest speaker presented the health benefits of taking part in the arts.

In this recording of our webinar, guest speakers discussed how to prevent and manage hearing loss.

Many of us suffer a smaller or greater hearing loss as we get older, particularly if we are involved in music-making, whether acoustic or amplified. This event talked about two aspects of this: how to prevent greater hearing loss which may be due to being exposed to loud noise and/or music in your private or working life; and what you can do if you do experience hearing loss, tinnitus or other issues. 

We welcomed the following expert speakers:

In this recording of our webinar (original event 18 November 2022), guest speakers discussed how to interact with policymakers in your area.

Leisure-time music groups are rooted in their local communities and their activity is most immediately affected by the policies and actions of their local authority. But how does that operate? Who are the right people to talk to? And when should you talk to them – when there is a problem or before? Should you connect to them anyway, so they know what you do and don’t inadvertently negatively affect your activity?

What is social prescribing and how can your music group benefit from it?

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

Making Music has partnered with the Singing for Health Network and other organisations to publish free downloadable guides on social prescribing for leaders of music groups across the UK, and for social prescribers (also known as link workers).