WHAT DOES MUSIC MEAN TO YOU?

Music is a connector that touches everybody’s lives in one way or another, so what does it mean to you?

The What Does Music Mean To You (WDMM2U) project was first delivered in 2022 as a way to engage the local community and understand the role of music in people’s lives. It explored how residents experience music, the barriers they face in accessing cultural opportunities, and how Future Yard could remove those barriers.

Following feedback that affordability was a significant barrier to accessing live music, we created the Neighbourhood Ticket Scheme. The scheme exists to support our closest neighbours, residents of CH41 and CH42, and those further afield who are experiencing financial barriers to attending live music, by offering free tickets to a wide range of shows. We prioritise CH41 and CH42 to make sure the people in the community where we are based benefit directly from what we do.

In the four years since the first project, our community partnerships have grown and developed into the Neighbourhood Champions Group. This group brings together local organisations who are supporting Future Yard to make live music accessible and welcoming. This support might include distributing Neighbourhood Tickets, informing people about our learning programmes, providing financial support, or contributing in other meaningful ways.

Read the full 2022 report (PDF)

WDMM2U 2026

Building on the insights and relationships developed in 2022, WDMM2U 2026 aims to go beyond listening, by implementing tangible changes, strengthening neighbourhood trust, and improving access.

We’ll be asking many of the same questions to see what’s changed over the last four years. We want to know:

“What does music mean to you?”

“What barriers do you face to accessing music and culture?”

“How can Future Yard support community programming?”

Regenda Homes is also supporting the project as a Neighbourhood Partner. This work will support the delivery of Regenda’s Neighbourhood Strategy and engage residents on how they feel about their neighbourhood and identify any barriers to accessing culture and arts locally.

COMPLETE THE WDMM2U SURVEY HERE!

If you have any questions about the project or would like to get involved please contact:

Akasha Costello, Neighbourhood Outreach Officer, akasha@futureyard.org

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