Inclusivity in Brass Banding
At Hyde Street Youth Band, we do our very best to provide an inclusive space for everyone to reach their full potential, by removing any barriers and listening to what our members need. Please read this statement from one of our much loved members, Rachael Hamilton, who also works for the I CAN Network Ltd:
“I recently joined Hyde St Youth Band with my assistance dog (River).
As someone with autism and severe anxiety, it is often challenging to join in and participate in things, but I was made to feel very welcome and have been supported by the band members and community of parents within the band.
Our recent trip to Nationals was a great experience, as there are quite a few other neurodiverse young people in Hyde St Youth Band, so it was lots of fun to be able to play in such an accepting community.
I hope more groups are able to see the values neurodiverse people can bring to the table, and find ways to better support them to do something they love”