Provide a Community For Looked After Children in Birmingham
Children we work with have a chance to become part of our community, boost their skills, socialise with friends and share their passion for music in a safe and nurturing environment.
Help Us Change Lives Through the Power of Music. Support Looked After Children in Birmingham With the Music Cares Project Today
Working closely with Birmingham Virtual School, the umbrella body that oversees education of children in care in Birmingham, our Music Cares Project provides a variety of music-making opportunities for children in the care system across the city.
Together, we aim to provide each child with weekly music sessions, ensemble and performance opportunities and free instrument loans.
Creative music-making helps to knock down barriers that children face, as well as empowering them to transform their own lives, exceed in other subjects and achieve their full potential.
Remove Financial Barriers to Music Playing
We provide free instrument loans, weekly music sessions and performance opportunities for children in care, making music accessible to everyone no matter what background.
Boost Skills, Opportunities and Relationships
A rare opportunity for children in care to engage with adults through a positive activity not linked specifically to their care status, helping them develop healthy relationships and skills.
why we do what we do
At Services For Education, we know that music has a profound impact on children, because we witness it every day.
We have a vision to reach as many children across Birmingham, sending them on a journey through music, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances; music for all. We want to raise awareness and important funds to be able to reach more people, enabling change across Birmingham, through music.
We hold the Music Cares Project very close to our hearts because we get to see the real benefits it has on looked-after children, first-hand.
Additionally, the project provides a rare opportunity for children in care to engage with adults through a positive activity, which is not linked specifically to their care status.
These types of interactions help children build and develop healthy relationships with other people; an essential skill for when they begin to leave the care system, post 16.
Thank you to the Foster family, donations in memory of Kate Foster
Feel free to get in touch with us using our online contact form.
“In times where arts and the education are feeling great strain, the Music Service’s role has become even more important.”
“Through Services For Education, I was able to have free instrumental tuition, free instrument loans and access to free coached ensembles ranging from their Big Band through to their Symphony Orchestra. They equipped me with all the tuition and tools that I needed throughout my 10 years with them completely free of charge. In times where arts and the education are feeling great strain, the Music Service’s role has become even more important. Music education can be a life changer and a lifesaver; it can level the playing field and provide people with the skills they will need to tackle an increasing challenging and demanding work.”
XHOSA COLE
“I Just wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the opportunities the music service gave to me”
“More than anything this is just a thank you and a testimony to the music service and the staggering work you all do. I’ve just finished my first year of freelancing after graduating from the RCM and have been incredibly lucky to have performed with most of London’s major orchestras, including London Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Opera House, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and I’ve also been incredibly lucky to have played Principal Horn with English National Opera and London Chamber Orchestra. The further I progress in my career, the more and more I get back to thinking that I just wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the opportunities that the music service gave to me.”
JACOB BAGBY
our music success stories
Music Success Stories: Xhosa Cole, Winner of BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2018
The best thing about working for Services For Education is the passion within our team. ...
16
Apr
Apr
Music Success Stories: An Email From Jake Bagby
Our Head of Music, Stuart Birnie, was absolutely delighted to receive a fantastic email from ...
25
Nov
Nov
Music Success Stories: A Feature On Jack Ledger-Dowse
At Services For Education, we run over 70 free ensembles for children across Birmingham. We ...
10
Oct
Oct
about services for education
Services For Education is a unique charity that uses the power of learning and of music to create and build confidence amongst children, young people and adults in communities across the West Midlands.
Formed in 2012, Services For Education delivers educational programmes to support the wider community to become the best people they can be, regardless of their background.
Registered Charity Number: 1148848
Our charity is overseen by a dynamic board of Trustees:
Chair of Trustees: Martin Chitty
Trustees: Sarah Smith, Selwyn Calvin, Matthew Clements-Wheeler, Laura Williams, Mark Bolton, Paul Davies and Clive Stone
We bring learning and music to life.
