People with Special Educational Needs/Learning Disabilities (SEN/LD) can be socially excluded and lack access to the arts, music and appropriate musical instruments.

For the past 20 years, Cumbria Community Foundation has helped support the grassroots charity MusicLinks to provide educational opportunities through arts and culture to vulnerable people, primarily people living with disabilities in rural communities in Cumbria.

One of MusicLinks’ projects is the JamTent at the Kendal Calling music festival. Artists who are already performing at the festival are approached to perform in the JamTent – this year, 18 bands or individuals performed live over the three days.

Other artists who are refugees in the UK or oversees are also linked in on a large screen to play sets in between the live artists. Those refugees may have been established musicians but are now separated from their friends, family and culture and the sessions help give them a sense of belonging.

MusicLinks gathers the audience of participants of all ages from across the county. With the encouragement of MusicLinks facilitators, participants, who may have autism, Down Syndrome or cerebral palsy, make music and jam along with the bands and artists who are on stage or screen using a collection of musical instruments which are provided.

A podium is available with a baton for participants to conduct the band who are primed to actively play along – slowing down, or crescendoing to the cues that the participants give them. The participants get a chance to ask questions of the bands and artists which gives them a chance to learn and gain confidence, while the bands have a chance to play to, and interact with, a diverse audience.

Andy Halsey, Chief Executive of MusicLinks, said: “It is truly joyous to watch. We are very grateful to Kendal Calling for their support for the JamTent as they provide tickets for the participants for free, as well as food vouchers for the facilitators and staff.”

To help prepare participants for the event, and improve their confidence to help them take part, the Foundation funded MusicLinks to run a programme of workshops and MicroFests in the months before Kendal Calling. Those workshops introduced participants to musical instruments, some of which are specifically adapted to their needs, and helped them gain the confidence to perform and mingle with others.

Andy said: “The workshops and the JamTent itself give vulnerable participants the chance to interact in a safe space in which they have a sense of ownership and pride.”

A music promoter who helped book the bands for a previous JamTent recalls one participant with Down Syndrome: “He was watching, sitting with a smile but slightly subdued, and was invited up to conduct The Murder Capital, a band straight from the main stage.

“He started tentatively, but by bringing in each musician with a wave of his hand, his confidence grew, and he started to really come out of his shell, dancing and singing as he slowed, speeded, stopped and started the band up to a rapturous crescendo.

“It was a transcendent experience at JamTent that revitalised my belief in the power of music.”

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of Cumbria Community Foundation said: “The Foundation is delighted to have been involved in helping bring this project to fruition with the help of our fundholders. We hope all the participants, bands and artists who took part in the JamTent had an enjoyable, music-filled weekend.”