Musical Connections: Northern Ireland 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 Specialist Provision (Autism Resource Bases) across the UK.

Join us for a discussion-led session where we will share learning from music projects in Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools (SPiMS), findings from our scoping review and online survey of Specialist Provision settings, hear from autistic musicians and educators, and explore next steps together.

Who are we inviting?

• Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools (SPiMS) leads, teachers, and support staff
• SENCOs and inclusion leads
• Peripatetic music teachers and Heads of Music
• SEN 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) and realistic solutions
• 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, as well as lead for the Northern Ireland project, Gary Day
• Introduction to Specialist Provision in Mainstream School context by Education Authority Specialist Provision Team
• Discussions intended to surface practical ideas that you can take back to your setting
• 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.