SC The Lectern

COME & JOIN THE MUSIC COMMUNITY THE CENTRE FOR INCLUSIVE MUSIC (CfIM) AT STUDENT CASTLE (FORMERLY THE LECTERN) LEWES ROAD BRIGHTON

Student Castle (SC) wants to deliver a new community use – The Centre for Inclusive Music (CfIM) – on part of the ground floor of the student housing development it is currently building on the former Lectern site next to the University of Brighton. It has submitted a planning application which would allow for CfIM’s occupation, together with providing community space that would be available to local residents. CfIM is a unique and exciting proposal which will deliver a step change in music education for the City’s children, young people and adults. It is something we hope you will support.

ACKGROUN WHAT IS CfIM? • CfIM is a registered charity which will provide the opportunity for music education and training to all residents of the City. • It will be based in a new permanent home which will be a base for its music activities including those dedicated to children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). • It will include teaching rooms, rehearsal space and administrative accommodation for the charity. • It will be open to all children, young people and adults across the City. • It will provide courses and teaching 7 days a week. Initiatives will include:Training ofyouthDirect work with the Earlyyears musicworkers and teachingCity’s schools programmes forassistants who willparticularly those in parents/carers withthen work directly inthe immediate area babies and youngthe community 1 2 3children HOW WILL THE CfIM SPACE BE FUNDED? • SC has committed, through a binding legal agreement to provide the space to CfIM on a rent free basis for 99 years. • SC will build and fully fit out the CfIM space at no cost to CfIM, who shall be able to move in straight away and start its training and teaching courses immediately.

HOW WILL CfIM SUPPORT MUSIC EDUCATION ACROSS THE CITY INCLUDING FOR PEOPLE WITH SEND? Music education for children, young people and adults across the City is under increasing pressure. It faces reduced financial support, insufficient trained teachers and a lack of rehearsal space. For those with SEND the problem is even more acute. Young people, and especially those with SEND, face many barriers to playing music mainly due to a lack of opportunities to nurture and develop their music skills. Currently it is estimated that less than 1% of children participating in ensemble activities identify as having SEND. CfIM has been established to directly tackle the issues. It will: • Support grass roots music talent. • Run dedicated courses, either free of charge or at reduced rates targeted specifically at those with SEND, their families, carers and friends. • Run outreach programmes including with local schools. • Train music teachers who can then go out into the community. • Run courses for whole families not just children and young people. • Develop leadership and mentoring programmes for its students with opportunities to gain recognised qualifications and training. • Build dynamic partnerships with the music industry, high profile music organisations and local education establishments.

ORCHESTRA 360 CfIM will provide a new home for Brighton’s Orchestra 360 (o360). o360 is a recently established and exciting orchestra for people with SEND, their families, carers and friends. Formed in 2016, o360 has quickly grown in popularity regularly attracting over 50 young musicians who have performed in the Brighton Dome, Brighton Centre and at Brighton Festival. It is recognised nationally for its innovative and inspiring performances. Existing o360 members have said: “Being part of Orchestra 360 lights up our life, which is not always easy going.” “It has been a fantastic experience for us all, and its been lovely to see the families making music together and especially for both our sons to take part.” COMMUNITY SPACE PROVISION • The proposal delivers different types of space for the local community to use. • This includes a dedicated room (for 20+ people) together with storage, kitchen and toilet facilities. • It will be exclusively for the community’s use, will be fitted out, free to use and available 7 days a week. • It will provide meeting space which is currently lacking and will provide a ‘window’ on to the street for future community activities. • In addition, the local community will also be able to use various parts of the CfIM space when it has larger activities, such as Resident Group meetings (of 50+ people) or large social events. Again, this will be provided free of charge. • Finally, CfIM’s activities and courses will all be open to local people and close links with local schools will be fostered.

IT IS CLEARLY REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THIS INITIATIVE IS SUPPORTED, SO; HOW CAN YOU HELP? If you support our plans for the CfIM please let the Council know. You can: Comment online at the Council’s applications webpage https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications under reference BH2019/01932. Write direct to: Henrietta Ashun Development Management City Development and Regeneration Brighton & Hove City Council Hove Town Hall Norton Road Hove BN3 3BQ Please quote the planning application reference number: BH2019/01932. Complete and return the accompanying Freepost comment form.