The Music Pool’s Special Needs Work
Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, along with the Eveson Charitable Trust and Lloyds TSB Foundation, The Music Pool is able to carry out a varied programme of valuable work with people who have a range of physical and/or learning disabilities and difficulties. Our work includes:

First Key, SCOPE (for adults with cerebral palsy)
Weekly sessions have taken place at the Salvation Army Centre in Edgar St. with Manu Song, percussionist, his partner Edi Hamilton, and various volunteer instrumentalists. These have included recording and culminatory performances.

S.C.O.R.E. Group (For adults with learning difficulties)
Weekly sessions for a group of adults have taken place at The Courtyard with Roger Langford, mostly involving voice development and including communication, self-expression, social interaction and other benefits.

Schools
Weekly sessions on voice, percussion and associated movement: with Craig Trafford, at Trinity School (visually impaired children with companions); Blackmarston Special Needs Primary School and Brookfield School (primary and secondary school exclusions); with Manu Song at Barrs Court Secondary School (physical and learning difficulties).
Jigsaw Integrated Dance Project
This annual event is produced in partnership with DanceFest Hereford and Worcester, under the leadership of Michele Holder, Herefordshire community dance professional. This high-standard contemporary dance show features many of the groups listed above, working alongside able-bodied dancers, with live, specially composed music from Music pool artists.

Canal Road Day Centre (For adults with a range of physical disabilities)
Rehearsals took place from January – March for a production of Scrooge, with drama worker Erica Grant and pianist David Huke. The performances were very well attended and immensely popular, generating much interest in the press.