Children and young people with severe and profound learning disabilities delighted families and friends when Birmingham Inclusive Choir staged its first-ever Showcase concert – a joyful celebration of music, friendship and inclusion – at Birmingham’s Midlands Art Centre (the MAC) (on Sunday, March 8, 2026).

Birmingham Inclusive Choir, which first started in lockdown but which now meets in-person throughout most of the year, enables children and young people with severe and profound learning disabilities to enjoy music and singing together. The Choir, run by Birmingham charity Services For Education in conjunction with national charity Soundabout, staged the Showcase performance that was attended by Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Ken Wood and parents, carers and family friends.

Now in its fifth year, Birmingham Inclusive Choir brings together young people from across the city to play and enjoy using music-making instruments including tambourines, maracas, xylophones and egg shakers for percussion.

Sharon Bell, Chief Executive of Services For Education, thanked supporters and funders who had enabled the Choir to continue its vital work.

“Birmingham Inclusive Choir is hugely important, fostering a sense of belonging, community and joy – regardless of musical background, physical or cognitive abilities,” said Sharon.

“They create an environment where choir members develop strong bonds and lasting friendships, where every voice is valued and participants, regardless of their background or abilities, have equal status. We are delighted our skilled and enthusiastic staff enable this choir to make such a contribution to the lives of young people.”

Richard Mabbott, Head of the Music Service at Services For Education and a former choral scholar, said: “Birmingham Inclusive Choir is just a brilliant way of bringing music to the lives of children and young people with complex support needs. They and their family, friends and carers really enjoy and get pleasure from singing and playing sound makers, listening, vocalising and moving to the music.

“It’s amazing that nearly five years on from being established in lockdown, when the only way they could get together was online, Birmingham Inclusive Choir is stronger and more powerful than ever, bringing joy to the choir members’ lives. I know from singing in choirs that performing together is uplifting and brings great happiness to choir members,” he added.

It was the first time the Choir had held its own Showcase event, having previously performed at Services For Education’s Outdoor Festival at the MAC in May last year featuring its Music Service ensembles.

Birmingham Inclusive Choir is funded through grants and fundraising, costing around £15,000 a year to run. Face-to-face sessions are held during term time at the MAC, with additional online sessions taking place in between as part of the West Midlands Inclusive Choir.

Further information is available from Sarah Caldwell, Fundraising Manager at Services For Education, sarah.caldwell@servicesforeducation.co.uk

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Pictured left to right: Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Ken Wood; Birmingham Inclusive Choir member Hugh Murphy, and Sharon Bell, CEO, Services For Education

About Services For Education

Services For Education is an education and training charity based in Birmingham, that brings music and learning to life. The organisation employs around 200 staff who deliver music tuition to children and provide expert training and development to teaching and school support staff. It has an annual income of £7.1m (2023/2024). Part-funded by Arts Council England, it also operates its own fundraising and subsidised commercial activities. Services For Education works with more than 90% of Birmingham local authority schools.

Services For Education’s Music Service, teaches music to more than 28,000 children each year, reflecting Birmingham’s diverse population. It runs 113 free ensembles and provides more than 18,000 musical instruments free of charge, ensuring that children can access and enjoy making music together.

A highlight of the year is Services For Education’s annual Youth Proms at Symphony Hall that enables nearly 3,000 young musicians from schools throughout Birmingham to perform to an audience of more than 6,000 over four nights.

Services For Education’s School Support Service delivers expert training and development to teaching and support staff in schools across the West Midlands and increasingly across England. It helps improve practice and ensures teachers are equipped to respond to changes in curriculum and policy. In 2024/25, 94% of head teachers rated its training as either as good or excellent.
The organisation also delivers innovative programmes that support the physical and emotional wellbeing of children and young people through its Health for Life initiative, which has been running for more than a decade.

Learn more at www.servicesforeducation.co.uk

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For further information:
Public and media relations for Services For Education:
David Clarke
E: david-c@clarke-associates.co.uk;
M: 07808 735255

Issued on behalf of:
Services For Education
Unit 3 Holt Court
Holt Street
Birmingham Science Park
Aston
Birmingham B7 4AX