‘The Hub’, a new £1.8m music studio that can accommodate and support young adults with disabilities, has been opened in Gloucester. The studio has been set up by The Music Works charity and features recording studios, broadcast rooms for radio shows, a digital suite, and a sensory room.

“…The Hub means that kids who wouldn’t have been able to get this opportunity, [to create music] now can. Excited to see this project launch & start shaping future generations of music producers & DJs.” – Jay Cunningham @inMusicBrands https://t.co/spdAYOAfGs pic.twitter.com/A40EPOk79L

— The Music Works (@TheMusicWorksGL) September 8, 2021

In addition to providing facilities that are well suited to those with special needs, the studio is also being used to host programmes for young people without special needs. The studio is very much state of the art, which is clearly evidenced from the impressive overview available on The Music Works website.

The charity also provides a comprehensive list of features that cater specifically to young disabled people, stating that there are “powered doors throughout” the facility, as well as “a huge range of musical instruments and interfaces to engage those who cannot access conventional instruments and an entirely adjustable lighting system for those with sensory issues.”

The music centre’s sensory room is also geared specifically towards those with special needs, with The Music Works describing it as “a custom fitted sensory room with vibroacoustic equipment for disabled, deaf or hearing-impaired young people.” According to the BBC, Ben Pollard, a disabled Gloucestershire-based musician, has been enjoying and making use of the facilities for his work, stating; “As a disabled musician I think it means a lot basically” and “Forget all the other music-based places I’ve been to- this one is just insane.”

The Music Works charity, formerly known as Gloucestershire Music Makers, states that their aim is to “transform young people’s lives through music”. In particular, the charity work closely with young people who have come from challenging and underprivileged backgrounds, and regularly work with around 2,500 young people between the ages of eight and thirty. The programmes that they offer are very diverse and encompass everything from entry-level programmes for young children to full music career development, offering one on one music lessons, group work, internships, and apprenticeships.

The Music Works also run several different music events, including their annual ‘King’s Jam’ festival, which was held in Gloucester Park this year. In addition to this, the charity will be hosting a ‘Mix and Mash’ week, which is a programme open to young disabled people aged between ten and twenty-five, and this past month have hosted a launch event for The Hub. Further information on The Music Works’ events can be found here, and general information regarding the charity can be found at this link.