Supported by :

Aims and Objectives

The course will enable participants to acquire a thorough overview of the music leading and business skills, professional standards and background knowledge needed to work in the field of community music.

Depending on their previous level of experience, it will enable you to:

• · Look for work immediately as employees or contracted as sole traders
  
• · Raise funds independently for community based projects
  
• · Enter further training at, for example, Goldsmiths University, Trinity College or CM London
  
  

Course Outline

The course will consist of 10 sessions, one full day a week for 10 weeks starting on Thursday September 3rd, taking place at Belvedere Community Centre (in Mitchell Close, Erith in the north of the Borough of Bexley).

Each day’s activity will include a mix of practical and theoretical or business oriented elements. The topics covered will be:

• · Context and background to the field - cultural and historical development, types of client groups, employers and funders, aims and objectives of community arts work, skills needed to run community music and arts projects (1 day)
  
• · Music leading skills - musicianship, group work, project planning, workshop planning and content, equipment and instruments, music technology, special access requirements and sensitivity to special needs (5 days)
  
• · Client Groups - including: working with Early Years, in school and after school work, youth and NEET work, working with disabled people, mental health system users, older people, refugees and asylum seekers, working within the Justice System, with homeless people, travellers and rural populations (1 day)
  
• · Community Groups - setting up a Constituted Group, Charity Registration, fundraising from Trusts, Lottery, local and national government sources etc. (1 day)
  
• · Code of Practice - professional approach, duties and responsibilities, record keeping and evaluation, working with employers and host organisations, CRB checking, Risk Assessments, policy on Health and Safety, Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection, Disability Awareness, Equal Opportunities & Diversity (1 day)
  
• · Further Training and Employment - researching opportunities, business development, networking and professional associations, how to find employers, legal and financial aspects of self-employment and setting up as a sole trader (1 day)
  
  

The course tutors will include SECM’s Senior Tutor for general and contextual topics, plus specialist external tutors to run sessions in various specific areas of interest. Guest tutors are leaders in the field, drawn from Goldsmiths University staff and experienced, practising community musicians

The course will be taught in a supportive and inclusive way embodying the principles of community based work - accessibility and encouragement of participants of all levels of previous experience and ability.

We will offer one-to-one support where applicable, guidance on additional research sources, help with work experience placement and advice on equipment procurement.

Cost

The course is free to those on income related benefits. Otherwise its £40 per day or £350 for the course for organisations, £35 /£ 300 for individuals. For the course days we will provide refreshments and discretionary travel reimbursement.

Recruitment

We aim to recruit a minimum of 15 participants. They may be unemployed adults or NEET, or already working elsewhere in the music industry. We will use several approaches:

· Job Centres, particularly their New Deal advisors, and Job Centre disability advisors

· Learning and Skills Councils, Resources Plus and other local government services

· Advertising to the general public via local press

· Local community organisations, disability groups, voluntary groups and further education

· Newsletters and listings run by music and arts organisations, local government, the Arts Council, disability groups and educational establishments.

We expect participants to be drawn mainly from the borough of Bexley, with others drawn from neighbouring boroughs Greenwich, Lewisham and Barking & Dagenham.