MUSIC IS THE KEY

For AMBER's children,
music is not just a pastime 

– it’s a lifeline  

The AMBER Trust was set up to bring hope and fulfilment to blind
and partially sighted children who have a talent or a love for music.

For these children, many of whom have other disabilities, music has
a significant impact. It not only gives them great joy, it also encourages
them to learn, boosts their confidence, and helps them to share their
thoughts and feelings, opening up a world of freedom, independence
and hope for the future – a lifeline in a confusing world.

AMBER's vital work is needed more than
ever today, as over half the families in
the UK with a disabled child live in
real poverty.

This means that many of the 24,000
blind or partially sighted children who
have a real flair for music cannot afford
to buy a musical instrument or have the
music or therapy lessons, which would
make such a difference to their lives.

In order to address this, we have set up The AMBER Music Awards

   The AMBER Trust’s vision is to
   transform the life of any blind
   or partially sighted child living
   in the UK who finds music especially
   important. Each year, AMBER aims
   to raise as much as we can to help
   as many children as possible reach
   their full potential.

   In order to achieve our vision we are
   entirely dependent on donations,
   which go towards grants for
   The AMBER Music Awards.

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

Derek Paravicini is one of AMBER's
great success stories – the Trust was
set up when he was little to help him
and other blind and partially sighted
children like him. Now 31, Derek,
who is blind and autistic, has severe
learning difficulties and needs round-
the-clock care, 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 21 ozs,
Derek taught himself to play music on a
toy organ, and, at the age of two before
he could even talk, he could pick out
nursery rhymes.

 Derek playing with Jools Holland

In 1995, Professor Adam Ockelford, together with a group of parents, friends
and supporters, set up The AMBER Trust in order to help blind and partially
sighted children who had a talent or a love for music. 

In the 1970s, Professor Ockelford trained
as a musician at the Royal Academy 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.

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.