Anita Holford
@anitaholford.bsky.social
Freelance comms, copywriting, bid-writing - for music, arts, charities involved in education, wellbeing, social justice. Adoptive Mum, neurodivergent daughter. Www.writing-services.co.uk
Reposted by Anita Holford
Music education advocates - my latest Music Education Works enews is out, summarising the latest research evidence of the impact of music education + a digest of podcasts.
See the enews here: mailchi.mp/65d6a30fffe3...
Visit the Music Education Works website here: www.musiceducationworks.org.uk
See the enews here: mailchi.mp/65d6a30fffe3...
Visit the Music Education Works website here: www.musiceducationworks.org.uk
🎵🎤 Your Music Education Works digest
mailchi.mp
October 19, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Music education advocates - my latest Music Education Works enews is out, summarising the latest research evidence of the impact of music education + a digest of podcasts.
See the enews here: mailchi.mp/65d6a30fffe3...
Visit the Music Education Works website here: www.musiceducationworks.org.uk
See the enews here: mailchi.mp/65d6a30fffe3...
Visit the Music Education Works website here: www.musiceducationworks.org.uk
Reposted by Anita Holford
Anita Holford is an adoptive parent and has shared a bit about her and her daughter's experience of #lifestorywork and life story books. And thank you, Anita, for the mention of our Creative Life Story Work podcast as well!
writing-services.co.uk/why-lifestor... @anitaholford.bsky.social
writing-services.co.uk/why-lifestor... @anitaholford.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Anita Holford is an adoptive parent and has shared a bit about her and her daughter's experience of #lifestorywork and life story books. And thank you, Anita, for the mention of our Creative Life Story Work podcast as well!
writing-services.co.uk/why-lifestor... @anitaholford.bsky.social
writing-services.co.uk/why-lifestor... @anitaholford.bsky.social
In the latest episode I’m talking with the authors of a new book called Resonant Minds – the transformative power of music, which explores how we can use the powerful response that our brain has to music, with intention – to feel more, focus better, connect deeper and lead more resonant lives.
October 14, 2025 at 4:07 PM
In the latest episode I’m talking with the authors of a new book called Resonant Minds – the transformative power of music, which explores how we can use the powerful response that our brain has to music, with intention – to feel more, focus better, connect deeper and lead more resonant lives.
Reposted by Anita Holford
Latest research: A systematic review of music learning and wellbeing studies. 423 sources analysed - all except one, reported that learning music benefited student wellbeing.
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2025/05/16/m...
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2025/05/16/m...
Music learning and school-aged children’s and adolescents’ wellbeing: A scoping review
Researchers from the Edith Cowan University in Australia, conducted a systematic review of music learning and wellbeing literature to offer a new perspective on learning music as a wellbeing strate…
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com
September 20, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Latest research: A systematic review of music learning and wellbeing studies. 423 sources analysed - all except one, reported that learning music benefited student wellbeing.
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2025/05/16/m...
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2025/05/16/m...
Reposted by Anita Holford
Latest research: Learning to play a musical instrument at age 10-14 is likely to improve cognition
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2025/08/13/l...
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2025/08/13/l...
Learning to play a musical instrument at age 10-14 is likely to improve cognition
A study in Italy by a group of academics found that instrumental music training might influence behavioural and cognitive maturation during the transition from childhood to adulthood.
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com
September 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Latest research: Learning to play a musical instrument at age 10-14 is likely to improve cognition
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2025/08/13/l...
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2025/08/13/l...
I am really excited to share my 50th podcast episode – which sees the return of my 1st guest, music education advocacy superstar Dr Anita Collins.
Anita describes herself as an educator, researcher, writer in brain development & music learning but she's so much more than that. Hope you enjoy it!
Anita describes herself as an educator, researcher, writer in brain development & music learning but she's so much more than that. Hope you enjoy it!
September 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I am really excited to share my 50th podcast episode – which sees the return of my 1st guest, music education advocacy superstar Dr Anita Collins.
Anita describes herself as an educator, researcher, writer in brain development & music learning but she's so much more than that. Hope you enjoy it!
Anita describes herself as an educator, researcher, writer in brain development & music learning but she's so much more than that. Hope you enjoy it!
In music and arts education, we often talk about giving young people a voice.
But to really support care-experienced young people, we need to be aware of the sometimes fragmented and complex stories they carry with them - and the impact this may have on the way they show up in creative spaces.
But to really support care-experienced young people, we need to be aware of the sometimes fragmented and complex stories they carry with them - and the impact this may have on the way they show up in creative spaces.
August 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
In music and arts education, we often talk about giving young people a voice.
But to really support care-experienced young people, we need to be aware of the sometimes fragmented and complex stories they carry with them - and the impact this may have on the way they show up in creative spaces.
But to really support care-experienced young people, we need to be aware of the sometimes fragmented and complex stories they carry with them - and the impact this may have on the way they show up in creative spaces.
Thank you so much, it was a pleasure working with your brilliant team, making such a difference to lives and learning 🙏
We're so grateful to @anitaholford.bsky.social & Rachel Pedley (Avant Cymru) for helping make Taith more inclusive after looking into barriers faced by neurodivergent applicants. Their review of P1 materials is already leading to meaningful change
Read more: writing-services.co.uk/my-work/tait...
Read more: writing-services.co.uk/my-work/tait...
writing-services.co.uk
August 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Thank you so much, it was a pleasure working with your brilliant team, making such a difference to lives and learning 🙏
My latest Music for Education & Wellbeing podcast episode - with Pete Dale, Pam Burnard & Raphael Travis from the CUMIN network. We talk hip-hop, youth work, impact, & inclusive music education.
Listen now on your fave app or DM me for the direct link to the audio on my website along with links.
Listen now on your fave app or DM me for the direct link to the audio on my website along with links.
August 12, 2025 at 3:39 PM
My latest Music for Education & Wellbeing podcast episode - with Pete Dale, Pam Burnard & Raphael Travis from the CUMIN network. We talk hip-hop, youth work, impact, & inclusive music education.
Listen now on your fave app or DM me for the direct link to the audio on my website along with links.
Listen now on your fave app or DM me for the direct link to the audio on my website along with links.
What if funding processes were genuinely neurodivergent-friendly?
That’s the ambition behind the work Rachel Pedley (Avant Cymru, Y/The Lab Wrexham) & I did for @taithwales.bsky.social, the funder of international learning exchanges.
Link in comments 👇
Contact us if you’d like to do similar.
That’s the ambition behind the work Rachel Pedley (Avant Cymru, Y/The Lab Wrexham) & I did for @taithwales.bsky.social, the funder of international learning exchanges.
Link in comments 👇
Contact us if you’d like to do similar.
August 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
What if funding processes were genuinely neurodivergent-friendly?
That’s the ambition behind the work Rachel Pedley (Avant Cymru, Y/The Lab Wrexham) & I did for @taithwales.bsky.social, the funder of international learning exchanges.
Link in comments 👇
Contact us if you’d like to do similar.
That’s the ambition behind the work Rachel Pedley (Avant Cymru, Y/The Lab Wrexham) & I did for @taithwales.bsky.social, the funder of international learning exchanges.
Link in comments 👇
Contact us if you’d like to do similar.
Reposted by Anita Holford
As IP radio overtakes AM/FM, are we ready for a world where audio isn’t bound by spectrum? What does this shift mean for public interest media, sustainability, and local voices? We explore the new era of radio—and why policy needs to catch up. #CommunityMedia #IPRadio
Radio Without Borders – The Rise of IP-Based Listening and What It Means for Public Interest Media
What does the rise of IP radio mean for community, public, and place-based media? As streaming platforms overtake traditional AM/FM listening, this blog explores how internet-delivered audio is reshaping access, regulation, and sustainability. It assesses current listening trends, the policy lag behind the digital shift, and asks whether new models can support public interest content in an open, platform-driven landscape. Essential reading for community broadcasters, policymakers, and media advocates navigating the transition from regulated airwaves to borderless digital audio.
decentered.co.uk
August 6, 2025 at 7:26 PM
As IP radio overtakes AM/FM, are we ready for a world where audio isn’t bound by spectrum? What does this shift mean for public interest media, sustainability, and local voices? We explore the new era of radio—and why policy needs to catch up. #CommunityMedia #IPRadio
What could youth voice in #musiceducation look like if shaped by activism, systems thinking + relationships? I explored this with Mac Makes Music – it led to a report + conference talk: Beyond Youth Voice. Links in comments.
👋 DM me if you need help shaping + sharing your org’s story.
👋 DM me if you need help shaping + sharing your org’s story.
August 7, 2025 at 7:45 AM
What could youth voice in #musiceducation look like if shaped by activism, systems thinking + relationships? I explored this with Mac Makes Music – it led to a report + conference talk: Beyond Youth Voice. Links in comments.
👋 DM me if you need help shaping + sharing your org’s story.
👋 DM me if you need help shaping + sharing your org’s story.
In the latest episode of the Music for Education & Wellbeing podcast, I talk with Jenny Young, Director and founder of Blue Cabin, a charity based in the NE of England that strengthens relationships between care-experienced individuals and the people in their lives through creative activities.
July 10, 2025 at 11:40 AM
In the latest episode of the Music for Education & Wellbeing podcast, I talk with Jenny Young, Director and founder of Blue Cabin, a charity based in the NE of England that strengthens relationships between care-experienced individuals and the people in their lives through creative activities.
Fascinating & useful article 'What if we think of the arts as knowledge rich' by @patthomson.bsky.social on Cultural Learning Alliance website.
Useful for anyone working in #artseducation.
How do we translate into practical framing/messaging?
www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk/think-of-art...
Useful for anyone working in #artseducation.
How do we translate into practical framing/messaging?
www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk/think-of-art...
www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk
June 28, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Fascinating & useful article 'What if we think of the arts as knowledge rich' by @patthomson.bsky.social on Cultural Learning Alliance website.
Useful for anyone working in #artseducation.
How do we translate into practical framing/messaging?
www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk/think-of-art...
Useful for anyone working in #artseducation.
How do we translate into practical framing/messaging?
www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk/think-of-art...
Thanks to everybody who listened to my last mini podcast, 'Do the arts culture and music have a framing problem?'
Here's my latest, talking about how we might make a systemic shift to our arts CPD system to make sure the arts, music and culture are properly valued in public policy.
Here's my latest, talking about how we might make a systemic shift to our arts CPD system to make sure the arts, music and culture are properly valued in public policy.
June 26, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Thanks to everybody who listened to my last mini podcast, 'Do the arts culture and music have a framing problem?'
Here's my latest, talking about how we might make a systemic shift to our arts CPD system to make sure the arts, music and culture are properly valued in public policy.
Here's my latest, talking about how we might make a systemic shift to our arts CPD system to make sure the arts, music and culture are properly valued in public policy.
[PODCAST 46] Do the arts, culture and music have a framing problem? In this short (17 minute) episode of my 'Music for Education & Wellbeing' podcast I’m talking with … myself!
I thought I’d do something different to mark the launch of my new website.
Listen using your favourite podcast app.
I thought I’d do something different to mark the launch of my new website.
Listen using your favourite podcast app.
June 12, 2025 at 7:57 AM
[PODCAST 46] Do the arts, culture and music have a framing problem? In this short (17 minute) episode of my 'Music for Education & Wellbeing' podcast I’m talking with … myself!
I thought I’d do something different to mark the launch of my new website.
Listen using your favourite podcast app.
I thought I’d do something different to mark the launch of my new website.
Listen using your favourite podcast app.
Really useful summary and guidance for arts and cultural organisation about BlueSky from @artscouncilengland.bsky.social 's Digital Culture Network (who ironically, aren't on BlueSky!) digitalculturenetwork.org.uk/knowledge/wh...
What is Bluesky and should it be a part of your social media strategy?
The social media platform Bluesky started to achieve popularity in 2024 as an alternative to X (formerly known as Twitter) and Meta’s Threads. But what do you need to know about using the micro-bloggi...
digitalculturenetwork.org.uk
May 20, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Really useful summary and guidance for arts and cultural organisation about BlueSky from @artscouncilengland.bsky.social 's Digital Culture Network (who ironically, aren't on BlueSky!) digitalculturenetwork.org.uk/knowledge/wh...
Being exposed to inspiring people, ideas and practices outside of the usual areas I work in.
#startsomethinggood
#startsomethinggood
A vibrant start to Social Value: All in it Together!
Great ideas already flowing—social value isn’t a “nice to have,” it’s essential for fairer communities & an inclusive economy 🌍
Grateful to all sharing their insight—let’s keep the conversation going!
#StartSomethingGood
Great ideas already flowing—social value isn’t a “nice to have,” it’s essential for fairer communities & an inclusive economy 🌍
Grateful to all sharing their insight—let’s keep the conversation going!
#StartSomethingGood
May 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Being exposed to inspiring people, ideas and practices outside of the usual areas I work in.
#startsomethinggood
#startsomethinggood
🚨🌱 The Chancellor is reviewing all public spending from scratch. Please join me in signing the @campaignforthearts.org petition to remind the UK Govt: the arts make our lives happier & our communities stronger. Now is the moment to invest in them. www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/sp...
Petition: Make the arts part of UK National Renewal | Campaign for the Arts
The Chancellor is reviewing all public spending from scratch. The arts make our lives happier and our communities stronger. Now is the moment to invest in them.
www.campaignforthearts.org
May 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
🚨🌱 The Chancellor is reviewing all public spending from scratch. Please join me in signing the @campaignforthearts.org petition to remind the UK Govt: the arts make our lives happier & our communities stronger. Now is the moment to invest in them. www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/sp...
Funders: please do better, not just for neurodivergent people but for everyone!
♻️ I hope this will be shared, & noticed by funders.
Each week I hear & feel, the pain of people who are
a) at best, put off
b) at worst, completely excluded, from your funding processes
We all have to do better.
♻️ I hope this will be shared, & noticed by funders.
Each week I hear & feel, the pain of people who are
a) at best, put off
b) at worst, completely excluded, from your funding processes
We all have to do better.
April 25, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Funders: please do better, not just for neurodivergent people but for everyone!
♻️ I hope this will be shared, & noticed by funders.
Each week I hear & feel, the pain of people who are
a) at best, put off
b) at worst, completely excluded, from your funding processes
We all have to do better.
♻️ I hope this will be shared, & noticed by funders.
Each week I hear & feel, the pain of people who are
a) at best, put off
b) at worst, completely excluded, from your funding processes
We all have to do better.
I'm now in the Freelancer Magazine directory: freelancermagazine.co.uk/account/dire...
You can also find me at www.writing-services.co.uk. New website coming soon!
You can also find me at www.writing-services.co.uk. New website coming soon!
March 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I'm now in the Freelancer Magazine directory: freelancermagazine.co.uk/account/dire...
You can also find me at www.writing-services.co.uk. New website coming soon!
You can also find me at www.writing-services.co.uk. New website coming soon!
Reposted by Anita Holford
Thanks to everyone who's responded to our survey so far! It's great to hear your views. We'd love to hear from more people so we're extending the deadline to Sunday 16 March midnight. Please help us by filling in this quick survey (just four questions): forms.gle/BfiG4qj2uLVJ...
The Music Education Works website has been running for 10 years now. So we're looking for your views by Fri 28 Feb.
How often do use it? How much would you miss it if it wasn't here? What should do next?
Thank you for any feedback& insights 🙏
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2025/02/10/m...
How often do use it? How much would you miss it if it wasn't here? What should do next?
Thank you for any feedback& insights 🙏
musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2025/02/10/m...
March 3, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Thanks to everyone who's responded to our survey so far! It's great to hear your views. We'd love to hear from more people so we're extending the deadline to Sunday 16 March midnight. Please help us by filling in this quick survey (just four questions): forms.gle/BfiG4qj2uLVJ...
Something for the weekend? A little reminder of my latest podcast, an interesting listen if you're in music for social change, education, community and youth music.
How did a youth music charity go from moments of almost giving up, to being core funded by Arts Council England, and respected by commissioners/funders in public health and youth justice? Listen in on my chat about resilience with Adam Joolia, CEO, AudioActive writing-services.co.uk/podcast-45-e...
March 14, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Something for the weekend? A little reminder of my latest podcast, an interesting listen if you're in music for social change, education, community and youth music.
A useful tool from the CRA Creators Rights Alliance - for freelancers, and those who employ them, to understand fees/ day rates:
www.creatorsrightsalliance.org/freelance-da...
Picture from 1Click on Unsplash
www.creatorsrightsalliance.org/freelance-da...
Picture from 1Click on Unsplash
March 12, 2025 at 9:09 AM
A useful tool from the CRA Creators Rights Alliance - for freelancers, and those who employ them, to understand fees/ day rates:
www.creatorsrightsalliance.org/freelance-da...
Picture from 1Click on Unsplash
www.creatorsrightsalliance.org/freelance-da...
Picture from 1Click on Unsplash
How did a youth music charity go from moments of almost giving up, to being core funded by Arts Council England, and respected by commissioners/funders in public health and youth justice? Listen in on my chat about resilience with Adam Joolia, CEO, AudioActive writing-services.co.uk/podcast-45-e...
March 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
How did a youth music charity go from moments of almost giving up, to being core funded by Arts Council England, and respected by commissioners/funders in public health and youth justice? Listen in on my chat about resilience with Adam Joolia, CEO, AudioActive writing-services.co.uk/podcast-45-e...