My work for MusicPlace takes place in a special secondary school. Here I work with young people with autistic spectrum disorder and other learning difficulties. Activities in music therapy sessions give these students an opportunity to create their own sounds and build a language. Interactions with the therapist and in groups enable communication skills to be developed further. For some pupils the sessions provide a calm space to alleviate distress and sensory difficulties.

I’m often struck by the variety of expression and the uniqueness of each individual’s music creativity, as unique as a thumb print. It is rewarding to see these students develop their ideas in creative work.