Milton Keynes City Council is working with Bucks-based organisation On the Decks to give local children and young people new opportunities to get creative through DJing and music production.
Since the partnership began earlier this year, On the Decks has run free sessions at City Council Family Centres, giving hundreds of young people hands-on experience of professional DJ equipment with support from experienced tutors.
The sessions combine DJing with creative challenges and music-based activities, helping young people develop new skills, build confidence and express themselves through music.
The sessions are made accessible to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Activities can be adapted around individual needs and broken down into manageable steps, while the visual, practical nature of DJing gives young people different ways to engage through sound, movement, technology and creativity.
On the Decks is now running free weekly after-school clubs at the City Council’s Saplings, Hedgerows and Hummingbird Family Centres with plans to offer assemblies, workshops and music production programmes in schools across Milton Keynes. It is one of the city council’s ‘Safe Practice Mark’ accredited organisations.
“Music is a fantastic way for young people to express themselves, build their confidence and discover new interests. It’s great to be working with On the Decks to bring something a little different into our Family Centres, particularly as these sessions can be adapted so children and young people with additional needs can get involved and enjoy them too. We’re keen to build on this partnership and help even more young people across Milton Keynes explore their creativity and develop new skills.”
“Working with Milton Keynes City Council has been a fantastic opportunity to bring modern music education and DJing directly into local communities. Through our sessions, with a massive thanks and help from the team at “Noise”, we've helped children and young people build confidence, develop new skills and express themselves creatively, particularly those who can sometimes find more traditional settings challenging. Our ambition now is to reach more young people across Milton Keynes by working with schools and community settings and making DJing and music production as accessible as possible."
On the Decks is holding a student showcase at Unit Nine in Wolverton on Sunday 20 September, where its students will perform alongside open-deck sessions giving children and young people the chance to try DJing with support from tutors. Free tickets for the showcase are available through Skiddle.
The City Council’s Family Centres offer activities, advice and support for people of all ages, including extended support for those with additional needs. Find out more at www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/family-centres