PlayAbility
Music group for Disabled adults attending with support.
What PlayAbility is like
PlayAbility sessions take place in the main hall at Portishead Platoon, Somerset Army Cadet Force. Around twelve to fourteen Disabled adults attend each week, alongside their support workers, creating a lively, shared space for music-making.
A wide range of real instruments is available, including keyboards, tuned and untuned percussion, digital drums, and assistive music technology. People are free to move towards instruments, have instruments brought to them, or simply listen and watch. Joining in looks different for everyone, and all forms of engagement are respected.
Sessions are led by an experienced musician, with additional facilitators supporting individuals around the room. Some time is spent learning and rehearsing pieces together, while other moments are shaped by participant requests, exploration, and shared playing.
How PlayAbility is facilitated
PlayAbility sessions are designed and led by an experienced musician, supported by additional facilitators who work alongside individuals and their support workers throughout the session. This allows the group to make music together while still responding to individual needs.
Sessions include learning and rehearsing pieces together, following musical direction, developing skills such as listening and playing as part of a group, and having opportunities to try new musical ideas.
Musical learning is woven throughout sessions and may include working with dynamics, tempo, timbre, chord progressions, and structure. Participants are also introduced to Figurenotes scores, Makaton-supported signing, and basic conducting, supporting understanding and communication in ways that are accessible and meaningful.
What participation means here
At PlayAbility, participation looks different for everyone. Being in the room is what matters most, and there is no single “right” way to take part.
People may play instruments, sing, listen, watch, move, make suggestions, or take time out as they need. Participants are free to come and go with their support workers, and to join in when and how it feels right for them on the day.
Success is not measured by performance or output. It is about being part of a shared musical space, building confidence over time, and developing independence within a group. Every contribution — whether active or quiet — is valued as part of the music we make together.
Creative Health
PlayAbility sits within a Creative Health approach, recognising the role that shared creative activity can play in supporting wellbeing, confidence, communication, and social connection. Making music together offers opportunities for expression, belonging, and personal growth within a supportive group environment.
This work supports people to thrive creatively and socially. It does not provide medical, psychological, or therapy treatments, and it does not replace clinical care or formal support services. Where appropriate, we may signpost participants or support providers to other services, but PlayAbility itself remains a creative, community-based music group.
Our focus is on people-first music-making: valuing each person’s presence, agency, and contribution, and creating the conditions for individuals to participate meaningfully as part of a group.
TUESDAYS
Arrive 10:25 for 10:30 start
Portishead Platoon
Somerset Army Cadet Force
7 Station Road, BS20 7DB
Session dates for 2026:
September 15, 22, 29
October 6, 13, 20 (not 27th)
November 3, 10, 17, 24
December 1, 8, 15
CHRISTMAS PARTY - Save the Date!
Saturday 5th December - Clarence House - Portishead 2pm - 4pm
Cost and Funding
Or Pay-What-You-Choose
Cost: £5.00
Sessions are part-subsidised thanks to grant funding, but voluntary contributions from participants able to support the programme help ensure we can continue to run in a sustainable way.
Nobody is excluded from PlayAbility based on ability to pay. Fully funded places are available, and support with access can be discussed in confidence if needed.
Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, Quartet Community Foundation, and Portishead Town Council, we are able to offer this group in a way that prioritises access, dignity, and participation.
