Liberal Democrat Leader and Lib Dem MP for Bath, , are calling for funding of
Bath Philharmonia’s Young Carers’ Creative Orchestras to be
extended.
, who was a young carer for his mum as a teenager, and
spent an afternoon with the
orchestra as part of Ed Davey’s local election tour across the
country.
During the visit, they met and made music with young carers
before sitting down with the Bath Philharmonia and Bath Carers’
Centre staff to discuss what more they want to see done for
carers on a national scale.
Bath Philharmonia is the only orchestra in the UK that provides
music-making opportunities for young carers. Since starting the
programme in 2009, over 1,000 children from across the entire
South West have taken part and benefitted from their work.
The charity’s current grant from Youth Music will come to an end
this summer and currently, with no funding in place for this work
beyond 31st August, Bath Philharmonia is constantly raising money
to keep their Young Carers programme going. After seeing
firsthand the positive impact the organisation has on children,
and are calling for further
funding and Government support.
It comes as the Liberal Democrats announce their plans for a
‘Young Carers Pupil Premium’ as part of a new ‘Education
Guarantee’ for all 800,000 young carers in England.
Under the party’s legally enforceable ‘Education Guarantee,’ each
school would have a designated ‘Young Carers Champion’ to act as
a contact point for pupils and their families, provide pastoral
support to young carers and oversee the delivery of support
plans.
Schools would also need to offer extra tuition to young carers
where needed, at a time that does not conflict with their role as
a carer.
Former young carer and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, MP said:
“As a teenager I learned firsthand how looking after someone you
love is exceptionally rewarding, but it can also be relentless,
exhausting and isolating, even without the added pressure of
keeping up with school.
“Making music with young carers and Bath Philharmonia staff was
an incredible experience. We need more projects like this
targeted at helping young carers, but the Conservative Government
is still not doing enough to support these children in school or
outside of it.
“Liberal Democrats in Bath and across the country are working to
make sure that no young carer is left isolated or with their
quality of life and education put at risk due to their caring
responsibilities.
“Bath Philharmonia’s Young Carers’ Creative Orchestras must be
urgently given further funding to continue their fantastic work.”
, Liberal Democrat MP for
Bath, commented:
"It was wonderful to show the incredible work Bath Philharmonia does for young
carers when he came to Bath during his local election tour.
"There is nowhere near enough support for young carers nationally
and that is why organisations like Bath Phil are crucial.
"After seeing how beneficial music is for young people with
additional responsibilities, I've made repeated calls for young
carers to be referenced in the National Plan for Music Education,
but this Conservative government has not listened.
"Learning to play an instrument and making music together has
been transformative for these young people. We desperately need
more funding to ensure the vital work of Bath Phil can continue."
Jason Thornton, Music Director of Bath Philharmonia, commented:
“We were delighted that and joined in with the Young
Carers to co-create music together and were able to witness the
overwhelming benefit to Young Carers from taking part. I’m
delighted that is championing Young Carer issues on a national
platform and that is championing recognition
for Young Carers in the National Plan for Music Education. We
want to give every Young Carer the chance to be musical and
access local music-making activities that respond to their
additional responsibilities and needs.”
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The Liberal Democrats’ ‘Education Guarantee’ would be funded
through a new ‘Young Carers Pupil Premium’, providing schools
with additional funding for each young carer they teach,
modelled on the Pupil Premium for disadvantaged pupils
introduced by the party in 2011.
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Since 2009, Bath Philharmonia has enabled over 1200 Young
Carers to co-create and perform their own music.
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With no local authority and no regular public funding, Bath
Philharmonia is reliant on donations from individuals, trusts
and foundations to fund their work.
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Bath Philharmonia is currently in receipt of a £127,000 grant
from Youth Music towards the costs of a £250,000 project that
has enabled 85 days of intensive music-making workshops that
have benefitted nearly 500 Young Carers leading to 12
performances across the South West (in Plymouth, Torbay,
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, and Bath & North
East Somerset).
