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The AMBER Trust was set up especially to help blind or partially sighted children – including those with additional disabilities – to access and enjoy music. AMBER knows how important music is to these children: it is not only a source of great pleasure, it also encourages learning, boosts their confidence and helps to develop each child's self-expression and communication, opening up a world of independence and hope for the future.
For AMBER's children, music is not just a pastime – it’s a lifeline.
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To enable blind or partially sighted children – from toddlers to teenagers – to access the music they enjoy and from which they can benefit so much, AMBER provides funding for music lessons, music therapy sessions, the purchase of musical instruments, software or other equipment, concert tickets and travel related to musical activities.
AMBER knows that children with sight loss, including those with additional disabilities, are less likely than sighted children to receive tuition or assistance due to other people’s misunderstandings about disability.
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For children who have severe and profound disabilities, music not only offers a unique channel of self-expression, it also enables them to share their thoughts and feelings with the people around them and the wider world.
For AMBER's children, music also:
promotes learning and development
helps with socialising
improves concentration
improves mobility skills helps in acquiring the skills to communicate confidently with others teaches basic concepts, such as the difference between left and right
helps to express emotion boosts confidence provides great pleasure and fulfilment
“Music is particularly important for children with complex needs. For some it may be their main way of accessing their cultural heritage. For others it may provide an important – perhaps the only – channel of communication.” Dr Adam Ockelford
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Derek Paravicini is one of AMBER's great success stories. Now 26, he is blind, has the IQ of a 4-year-old, doesn't know his fingers from his thumbs and needs round-the-clock care. But he has an extremely rare gift – he is a musical prodigy whose piano-playing has thrilled audiences from London to Las Vegas.
Born prematurely, weighing just 1lb 5onz, Derek remained in hospital for three months and technically "died" several times before he was finally strong enough to go home. Before long, his parents became aware that he was blind and that he had severe learning difficulties and autism as well.
Derek playing with Jools Holland “Derek embodies music-making in a unique way. He communicates through sound with a clarity, a force and a passion that is truly unique.” Adam Ockelford
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In 1995, Professor Adam Ockelford, together with a group of parents, friends and supporters, set up The AMBER Trust in order to raise funds to build the Soundscape Centre in partnership with the RNIB in Redhill, Surrey.
Professor Ockelford trained as a musician at the Royal Academy in the 1970s before developing an interest in music for children with special needs. Since then, Adam has devoted much of his life to teaching 'musical savants' - people with exceptional musical abilities despite their disabilities. Working with these young people has led him to research how music makes sense to everyone. He is now Professor of Music at Roehampton University and continues to support blind and partially sighted children and young people in music-making. “Music REALLY IS important to many blind children – and I’m so pleased that today AMBER is helping more young people than ever before.” Adam Ockelford | |
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AMBER continues to support the ‘Sounds of Intent’ research project. This worthwhile project has been investigating and promoting the musical development of children and young people with severe, or profound and multiple learning difficulties, particularly those who are blind or partially sighted. A project website is currently under development, which will provide a range of support materials and advice for teachers in special schools, as well as parents and teaching assistants. You can also donate money to go towards this fantastic project. |
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