In this episode, I talk with Professor Marcus Smith, who is co-founder of the Clem Burke Drumming project, based at Chichester University which is researching the physical, mental and health benefits of drumming. Marcus co-founded the project with Dr Clem Burke, who is the drummer with Blondie; and Professor Steve Draper of Hartpury University. We discuss the research, including the impact of drumming for young people with additional needs including those who are autistic.

In this episode, I talk withNikki-Kate Heyes MBE, who was the founder, and until recently, CEO of soundLINCS, a community music organisation that’s been working with people from all walks of life through music, for 26 years. We talk about the development of the organisation, the health and direction of the community music sector, and Nikki-Kate gives her three tips for survival and resilience.

In this episode, I talk with James Dickinson, head of Hull Music Service, which is part of the local authority and also lead for the new music education hub covering Hull, East Riding, north and northeast Lincolnshire. We discuss how the music service is partnering with the local authority to use data to explore the impact of music on attainment. We also discuss how the service is using an annual impact report to engage partners, supporters and staff with the bigger picture around their value and impact.