Musical Connections: Cymru Networking Event

We want every autistic child and young person to access creative, child‑centred music education. With AHRC funding in place to support a partnership between the University of South Wales and Live Music Now, we’re building an evidence‑informed picture of music learning in Autism Resource Bases across the UK.

Join us for a session where we will share learning from music projects in Autism Resource Bases (ARBs), findings from our scoping review and online survey of ARBs, hear from autistic musicians and educators, and explore next steps together.

Who are we inviting?

· Autism Resource Base leads, teachers, and support staff

· ALNCos and inclusion leads

· Peripatetic music teachers and Heads of Music

· ALN inclusion support staff

· Parents and carers of autistic children and young people

· Staff and volunteers from autism charities

· Autistic musicians and educators

· Arts organisations, funders, researchers, and policy colleagues.

What’s it for?

This event brings people together to:

· Share what’s working on the ground and where the gaps are

· Hear perspectives from autistic professionals and carers

· Identify barriers (practical, cultural, structural)

· Prioritise next steps for research and practice

· Grow a network for ongoing exchange and support.

What can you expect?

· A concise overview of the research aims and timeline

· To hear from Dr Beth Pickard (University of South Wales) and autistic musician and Creative Lead and Lead Trainer (Live Music Now), Alex Lupo.

· An open call to contribute data, case studies and lived experience to the research.

Why now?

A Youth Music-supported pilot project over the past three years has shown benefits for autistic pupils’ social, emotional and academic development - and raised important questions we would like to explore together. Your expertise and networks are essential to shaping practical, sustainable change and ensuring the research outcomes are relevant regionally.