A New Perspective
About
John Lyon’s Charity is the leading independent funder for children and young people in North and West London. The Charity awards more than £15 million a year to organisations that seek to promote the life chances of children and young people through education.
The boroughs which make up its Beneficial Area are: Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea and the Cities of London and Westminster. To date, it has granted more than £210 million to diverse projects, including youth clubs, supplementary schools, emotional wellbeing initiatives, sports schemes, arts programmes and academic bursaries.
The Perspectives Series – a journey towards cultural inclusion
John Lyon’s Charity has been a long-term supporter of Arts activities for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Over the years, the Charity has seen huge variances in both the quantity and quality of activities on offer for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities and how vital the support of both parents and schools can be. Using our networks across the Arts, schools, Music Hubs, and funding sectors, the Charity has challenged these groups to think about how they work together to benefit young people.
Surveys and Roundtables
In June 2023, surveys were circulated to over 150 representatives from Arts and culture organisations, special educational needs settings and other funders, to reexamine the five pillars identified in Stand up for SEND (2019) and to develop a deeper sense of what effective and innovative SEND partnerships are currently happening across the Charity’s Beneficial Area.
Relationships
One of the most important factors in delivering high quality inclusive activities is the strength and depth of the relationships between those delivering services and those participating in them. The strongest relationships play to the strength of each party and support each other in their partnership approach.
Relationships
One of the most important factors in delivering high quality inclusive activities is the strength and depth of the relationships between those delivering services and those participating in them. The strongest relationships play to the strength of each party and support each other in their partnership approach.
Accept the cost
We know that projects for disabled children will cost more, but how can this be adequately communicated so that those making funding decisions can accurately understand these requirements? What do funders respond well to in funding applications? What do applicants feel shy about including?
Accept the cost
We know that projects for disabled children will cost more, but how can this be adequately communicated so that those making funding decisions can accurately understand these requirements? What do funders respond well to in funding applications? What do applicants feel shy about including?
A whole family approach
In order for projects to make the biggest impact on young people, their families need to understand the value of, and be included in, activities. How to organisations effectively engage with families and what are the barriers they face?
A whole family approach
In order for projects to make the biggest impact on young people, their families need to understand the value of, and be included in, activities. How to organisations effectively engage with families and what are the barriers they face?
Build career pathways
Everyone, regardless of ability, should have equal access to fulfilling career opportunities. More employment and career pathways for young disabled people need to be created. What are the barriers for greater inclusivity in the workplace? How do young people access these opportunities and what support is available for them and for employers?
Build career pathways
Everyone, regardless of ability, should have equal access to fulfilling career opportunities. More employment and career pathways for young disabled people need to be created. What are the barriers for greater inclusivity in the workplace? How do young people access these opportunities and what support is available for them and for employers?
Inclusivity starts with you
Children and young people should be seen, heard and represented. How much are positive, aspirational role models visible within Arts and Cultural organisations? How can young people’s voices be heard and listened to, and what benefits can this bring?
Inclusivity starts with you
Children and young people should be seen, heard and represented. How much are positive, aspirational role models visible within Arts and Cultural organisations? How can young people’s voices be heard and listened to, and what benefits can this bring?
Find it, do it, share it
Inclusive opportunities are rare and difficult to find. How are these opportunities advertised by organisations? How prominent is the work of disabled young people within the main work of an Arts and Culture organisation?
Find it, do it, share it
Inclusive opportunities are rare and difficult to find. How are these opportunities advertised by organisations? How prominent is the work of disabled young people within the main work of an Arts and Culture organisation?
Co-production and partnerships
Co-production allows organisations to deliver meaningful and impactful projects with children, young people and families. How can organisations ensure all children and young people have a voice in the development of activities they participate in?
Co-production and partnerships
Co-production allows organisations to deliver meaningful and impactful projects with children, young people and families. How can organisations ensure all children and young people have a voice in the development of activities they participate in?
Monitoring and evaluation
For many schools and delivery organisations the benefits of participation in Arts and cultural activities for children and young people with special educational needs is apparent, but how can the sector work together to provide an evidence base for there to be more investment in this area and share best practice?
Monitoring and evaluation
For many schools and delivery organisations the benefits of participation in Arts and cultural activities for children and young people with special educational needs is apparent, but how can the sector work together to provide an evidence base for there to be more investment in this area and share best practice?
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