My new approach was devised by drawing on many years of professional music experience, and lived experience of neurodivergence, complex mental health barriers, and acquired physical disability.

Professional background

I am a musician and community music leader with a background in ensemble leadership, coaching and teaching. Specialisms during my undergraduate degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music Drama included musical theatre, music pedagogy, composing for moving image and a history of Western Art Music since 1945. I performed as a pit musician with orchestras in the South West and with several small ensembles I founded. For many years I performed in professional
function bands across South Wales. I have run composition competitions culminating in performances at Bristol Beacon. I later completed an MA through the Open University, taking electives focused on ethnomusicology and evolving perceptions of professionalism in UK music since 1900. I received a distinction grade for my work on community music activities. I have served on the Executive Board of the Independent Society of Musicians, co-opted as a member after a direct approach from their Chief Executive. In the last 9 months I completed training in Creative Health facilitation with the South West’s C.H. sector leaders, Creative Shift, and was the only musician selected to the course from the entire South West region.

A change in perspective

In 2017, I experienced a life-changing accident, sustaining a leg injury that leaves me physically disabled. This injury forced me to stop all of my work and changed the way I was able to live my life. I experienced severe mental breakdown and underwent several surgeries and psychological therapies. Treatment is ongoing, and I rely on mobility aids. I have been diagnosed with Complex-PTSD, Irlen syndrome, Auditory Processing Disorder and Dyslexia. I am also Autistic, and have self-diagnosed ADHD.

The enforced break in my work provided opportunities to reflect on my priorities as a musician while considering if and how I might return to work in music.

An opportunity for change

In 2022 I received an inheritance from my late father. This let me invest in a huge range of accessible musical instruments, including interactive music technology, carefully researched to ensure I have something for everyone regardless of ability or impairment. I am driven by a desire to provide the most inclusive and accessible practical music making opportunities around and to reduce the 'othering' of vulnerable and profoundly disabled people, showcasing how much can be achieved when all members of a community are helped to be together, to learn together, and to achieve together.

Progress so far

The DYCP I was awarded in November 2023, followed by further funding from West of England Combined Authority in 2024, to develop community composition programmes, has enabled me to put all of my professional efforts into devising something truly inclusive, co-designed from its inception, and which is now ready for its next phase of development: securing the organisation’s stability and longevity.

Based in an area of low cultural investment/provision (North Somerset), I have been honing my role as a disabled arts leader, utilising my musical and delivery skills to create a culturally democratic and accessible practice, and embed it into the town I live in. I have also started to spread out into neighbouring towns such as Clevedon, Worle and Backwell. I have been selected by the Advisory Panel at Citizen’s for Culture to give a presentation on 28th September 2025, to share evidence and research I have prepared demonstrating areas of need for cultural investment, and to recommend specialist focus for consideration in cultural policy making across the WECA region.

Why we matter

Inclusion is vitally important for thriving communities. Equally vital is ensuring that all disabled people have the opportunity to fully participate in community events, and to be visible in our community spaces. Genuinely inclusive provision is scarce. This opportunity will enable creative disabled voices to be celebrated and championed in North Somerset with a long-term and broad practitioner legacy, especially through our efforts to share platforms with non-disabled musicians.

I am so proud of everything I have achieved with the development of Now Hear This Music C.I.C., and grateful for the support of the participants and my newly appointed directors to help steer the organisation through the next stages.