Case Studies
South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF) has funded a variety of projects throughout the region that make a big impact on local communities. We use our expertise and local knowledge to make targeted grants, connecting people who care to causes that matter.
Friends of the Rowan School - \'Plug into Music\'
22nd April 2008
The Rowan is a South Yorkshire special needs primary school providing education for up to 66 children with complex and severe communication and learning difficulties, most diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. It is widely recognised that music therapy techniques can help Autistic children to maintain attention, communicate, interact and express themselves non-verbally.
Through this understanding of the power of music, the school has introduced a 'Plug into Music' programme which recently entered its third successive year. The programme comprises half-hour, one-to-one sessions using a variety of equipment including electronic keyboards, laptop computer, interactive whiteboard and a 'quintet' instrument that allows music to be played via switches. Depending upon their level of physical ability, pupils spend time with a specialist teacher on a piece of equipment that they most enjoy.
The Friends of Rowan School were established in 2003 and aim to provide equipment and facilities, along with extra-curricular activities and services, for the children, staff and parents/carers at the school.
A £1350 grant was recently awarded to the Friends, comprising £880 from the Allvac Distribution Fund and £450 from Atkinson Smith, to run a further 3 terms of the programme. This will allow 12 pupils to receive the benefits of this creative activity.
In addition to the time spent in their one-to-one session, pupils are able to record music onto a CD and take it home to share with their families. One pupil made a recording of nursery rhymes that he gave to his younger brother. By involving the child's family, the programme is having a much greater impact than purely developing the child's communication skills and confidence. One parent told us that her son had been keen to tell her about his involvement with the programme – this was quite a change from his normal response of "I can't remember" when asked what he had done at school during the day. "He told me all about playing the keyboard and recording a CD – he was so proud of what he had achieved", told us his equally proud Mum.
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