Hi, I'm writing on behalf of First Note, an all-ability community music group based in Luton, Bedfordshire, UK. It's always hard to know how to start these things so I have to tell it from the very beginning... It may not be wise to suggest I am the one sole voice of the group, therefore I'm obligated to tell you that some opinions are my own. Nevertheless, I am very pleased to be able to tell this rather lovely story and I hope you enjoy reading it.
In the Beginning
In January 2012 First Note was born. Although we were unaware of it at the time, this really was the beginning of something truly amazing. A safe haven for all members of the Luton community to come together was created... And one passion was at the forefront and firmly on the agenda - to make lots of music!
There was a clear need for something like this in Luton. I was already working with a group of individual's at Chaul End Community Centre out of Day Care Service hours and in my own time. I controversially named the music project 'Teela & The Misfits' and it was thought of by the members as quite amusing. This group had already been running for 3-4 months and was working with people who suffered mainly with some form of physical disability.
Then I met Graeme Davis, a Music Therapist working with Learning Disability for SEPT. Graeme had approached Luton Borough Council (LBC) because he too saw a clear need for an ongoing music group that was accessible to the residents of Luton. Graeme's experience had taught him that no matter how someone's mental health may be deemed as 'good', it's no use if their social life is completely dysfunctional. For him, as a Music Therapist, he would be referred a number of people that would make great progress in their one-to-one sessions with him, be it behavioral, issues around confidence or matters lying deeper than that, he found that if there's nothing beyond that for people to move on towards, then they'd stay stuck in the health care cycle longer than they needed to be than if that service was available to them.
With that in mind, a meeting was set up with myself, Graeme and Tom Laurence, a Community Skills Officer for New Horizons, LBC who is also a Nothern Soul DJ. The ingredients were now in place to start something special!
We had a initial meeting at Chaul End Centre with the "Misfits", Graeme, Tom and I and the formation of a Community Music group was discussed.
Moving On - Finding a Venue
It's impossible to be able to remember entirely all the nitty-gritty info and happenings from the early days.... it was over two years ago! BUT, it was agreed upon by the group that it should take place outside of a community centre or health care setting. The venue we decided to use was The Hat Factory in Luton, a centrally located venue that offered creative spaces at a really competitive rate. It was a no-brainer.
This made sense to us all and it was easily accessible for everybody.... but something became a lot more evident later on as to why it was so important to use a mainstream venue.... - It offered an opportunity for members to have independence within the wider community.
Personally, I don't think it's considered "healthy" for people who are in the health and social care system to only have a world that evolves around that way of day care life... To not have any interaction with the wider community or merely being taken on the odd trip to the seaside or to swimming once a week! That doesn't indicate integration to me and while this may be alright for some, we should not assume that is it okay for the majority of people accessing health and social care services.
The difference with First Note is that their members have an opportunity to gain some independence in their life! They could be travel trained and travel on a bus on their own, ask a family member for a lift, travel with a friend... anything! As long as it didn't involve the ongoing daily bus routine they're faced with when attending Day Services.
Diversity
First Note see's members come from all over the Luton community. Some that access health and social care services, some that don't. Some disabled people, some able bodied people.... You name, we have it!
What we pride ourselves in and what makes us stand out from the crowd (and for the right reasons!) is that we don't segregate by age, sex, ability, ethnic origin or religious beliefs. We believe that a community group should do 'exactly what it says on the tin' by representing the whole spectrum of Luton and embrace people from all walks of life! Not separate people by putting them into boxes.
I could tell you about the people that walk through our door... however, I fear I would be contradicting myself! You need not know about their disabilities, mental health issues, religion, ethnic background.... or what their shoe size is and what they had for breakfast... We're not here to fill your heads with buzzwords and statistics! But one thing you must, must, must know is that we function as any healthy community would. The members build strong friendships as well as having disagreements and we share our successes and achievements as well as our downfalls. Most of all, we put our blood, sweat and tears into our music!
 |
| First Note's Showcase in Sept 2012 |
The Formation of the Committee
It goes without saying that sometimes we may think we know what people want... BUT it's always better when they tell us what they need. Therefore, First Note needed a fair voice to represent them. That is when the committee was formed and a constitution agreed upon. The First Note committee is made up of it's members and to enable people to fully understand the responsibilities of running a community group, they have a co-worker that is there to assist them should they need to call upon them.
Activites
First Note cover a lot of bases concerning different ranges and styles of music. In the past we've had the pleasures of experiencing both Indian and African drumming as well as working with a professional mainstream drummer.
The members of First Note write their own songs, take part in open 'jams' and improvise to different styles of music, they sing pre-composed songs (everyone has a favourite) and perform at local events. There doesn't seem to be another community music group, with such diverse abilities, that quite do it the way First Note does!
We're very lucky to have access to a wide range of instruments and technical equipment - we could be a three piece band or an orchestra! - we most definitely have something to suit everyone.
Support from Local Organisations
First Note has received copious amounts of support and wouldn't be possible without it! We're very grateful for all the help we have received and continue to receive from the local authority, local charities, organisations and individuals. We're also grateful for the extra hard work put in by the Management Committee in order to run the group, their time is invaluable.
We've had a lot of support, but one very important donation of £3,000 from local charity, Access to Everything (now dissolved), meant that First Note could purchase very much needed equipment. This has been a very significant donation and continues First Note's success and self-sustainability.
Useful Links:
For more info on First Note, please visit our website, like or follow us!
Thank you for reading.
