Supporting diverse populations

The EFDSS actively promotes activities, knowledge, and preservation of English folk arts, but they are also a rich resource for information about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, advice and training related to safeguarding. And their Resources page provides a wide variety of resources for engaging diverse populations of a variety of ages.

The Musicians’ Union represents more than 34,000 musicians across the UK. In addition to negotiating for its members, the MU provides information and training on a variety of topics – including Equality Rights. Much of this information is available to non-members.

This is a disability-led organisation with a mission to connect disabled people with music that works with the live event industry to improve access. In addition to training and information, they provide a number of free publications that provide guidance on how to make your event more accessible.

Drake Music is a national arts charity that promotes the use of accessible music technology to enable more people to make music. Their website provides information, training, and resources about how to run inclusive events, technologies that can help dismantle barriers, and guidance on understanding the social model of disability. 

This is a charity supporting learning disabled and autistic people to go out and enjoy live music safely. They have a lot of great resources for organisers wanting to make their events accessible for learning disabled and autistic people, as well as those who want to go to events but need support to feel safe. 

This community works together to address gender and other inequalities in Scottish folk and traditional music. Their website catalogues resources for getting help, reporting gender-based violence, research reports, and more.

This is a grassroots collective of people working to address gender equality in the English folk scene. Their website includes an index of resources to help you with issues like safeguarding and safer spaces, supporting survivors of gender-based violence, guidance on reporting abuse and harassment, and many other related topics.

This is an Irish organisation that advocates for gender balance in the production, performance, promotion, and development of Irish traditional and folk music. Their website is provides an example of an anti-harassment policy that can be adapted to your event.

This is a community interest company that works to create safe and accountable spaces for music, arts, and cultural life. They provide training aimed at responding to and preventing sexual violence. Their website provides a plethora of resources, guides, and checklists to help you plan a safe event.

This youth-led social change charity works to create a society in which being from a working-class background no longer presents barriers to achievement, success, or influence. Reclaim doesn’t specifically address the folk scene, but their website does provide reports, podcasts, and other resources that address challenges and supports for youth- and class-based safety.

Sutton Trust is a charitable organisation that supports social mobility through educational programme and research. Use this website to find out more about how class and education influence access to opportunities. The work of this charity isn’t specific to folk music, but it can help provide a context for understanding some differences in lived experiences that are based on socioeconomic factors. 

This charitable organisation exists to address structural racism in the music industry and support equal opportunities for Black, Asian, and Ethnically Diverse musicians. Their website provides free access to data, research, and reports about the current state of the UK music industry and challenges experienced by racialised musicians.

This organisation runs events and campaigns, and produces training resources that focus on using music to build communities and combat experiences of racism. Their website provides free access to anti-racist eLearning resources.

This Wales-based charity works to promote Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture in Wales and the UK. They have useful resources for organisations and individuals who want to promote good relations with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people.

If you’re planning to work with children or youth, you’ll need to make sure you’re providing appropriate safeguards. Brass Band England provides a suite of free resources, tools, and training that will help you understand relevant guidelines and protections that you’ll need. In addition to free resources, members of the EFDSS can access their online BandSafe training for the same fee as BBE members.

Music Mark is a membership organisation and subject association that connects music educators and campaigns for diverse, accessible, and government-supported music education. Their website provides information about training and events, as well as resource packs targeted at music educators working within formal education systems.