‘enriching life through music’

Welcome to the website of MusicAbility Foundation – the Penzance-based charity investing in community and enriching life through music therapy, music-making, education, concerts and events. Creating flexible and inclusive multimusical opportunities for people of all ages, life-experience and ability is central to the charity’s aims; using music for community learning, pleasure, health and wellbeing. A team of ten trustees bring an extensive wealth of experience, oversight and expertise to running the charity.

MusicAbility Foundation works in partnership with service provider MusicAbility Community Interest Company (CIC) to fulfil shared common aims which strengthen both organisations’ commitment to the life of the community. Since 2017, the CIC has demonstrated an excellent track record in delivering services and continues to develop ongoing strategic partnerships with some of the most effective local and national music and health organisations, adding further depth to its own work. MusicAbility CIC is proud to be delivering some of its services from MusicAbility Foundation’s building in central Penzance.

Growing a Unique Music Centre

MusicAbility Foundation is currently drawing up plans to redevelop a fine historic building in the centre of Penzance and transform it into a vibrant music centre. As well as promoting participation in music through performance, rehearsals, education, related events and activities, the charity is now home to a new self-contained and well-equipped music therapy facility. MusicAbility Foundation is possibly the only centre west of Bristol with a dedicated and permanent music therapy facility, set up to provide an enriched environment with clients in mind.

MusicAbility were gifted 10 Parade Street by a retiring local property investor who wanted to see this fine building brought back to public use. The first stage in the development of MusicAbility Centre was the creation of a dedicated music therapy room. Up and running since June ’21, it has enabled us to meet the needs of individuals and families, working in close partnership with local schools, social care, and mental health services. The music therapy facility is also available for self-referring clients – anyone may benefit from the psychological support offered at the centre, given by experienced health professionals.

“I’m delighted that 10 Parade Street is being brought back to life as a music centre, that will contribute significantly to raising Penzance’s profile as a major centre for cultural excellence, and more specifically as a place where the arts are used to support personal development, wellbeing and wider social change, at a time when this is so needed. The venue will lead to many new fruitful collaborations between Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange, MusicAbility, and the wider creative community in Penwith.”

James Green, Director Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange

Regenerating the Building at 10 Parade Street

Once one of the most important public buildings in Penzance, over the last 200 years this grade II listed Regency building has housed a public library, bank, shipping company, philanthropic society, TV studio and much more. The Foundation’s task now is to give it new life as a public venue, fit for the 21st century.

Currently the Foundation is undertaking an extensive feasibility study, funded by The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), to consider all aspects of the development from the restoration of the building to the benefit for the local community. The building work to sensitively restore 10 Parade Street is estimated to take up to five years, however the building will remain in use while building works are carried out.

The next stage is to create a second music therapy space to allow level access for wheelchair users and clients with mobility needs. After a break in service caused by the pandemic, this stage of the regeneration of the building will enable MusicAbility to restart much awaited and vital music therapy groups.

Planning and building will take time but in a few years the charity hopes to have established a new music centre for Penzance. With a new public entrance facing The Acorn theatre and with The Exchange art gallery just down the road, the addition of a music centre will provide Penzance with its own town centre arts quarter.

MusicAbility Foundation’s Values

The Foundation exists to serve the community as a force for good and the trustees will endeavour to commit to a set of values which will underpin the process of both the building’s regeneration and its work into the future:

Health – a commitment to promoting health and wellbeing for all
People – building an inclusive community which respects diversity and upholds equality
Conservation – connecting with and valuing the past through the celebration and preservation of heritage
Ecology – creating environments where people, community and natural resources can work and grow together into the future
Sustainability – deconstructing our dependence on fossil fuels and environmental pollutants and aiming to become carbon neutral
Funding –avoid profiting from anything that harms people or causes damage to the environment

Safeguarding, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality & Accessibility

MusicAbility Foundation embraces the principles of Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility at the centre of all the activities it promotes. The provision of full accessibility to all areas of MusicAbility Centre is at the heart of the building’s redevelopment plans.

One principle that covers all others is Safeguarding. Everyone visiting MusicAbility Centre and or taking part in activities that the charity supports should be totally safe. The board of trustees have all undertaken Safeguarding training and delivers of services at MusicAbility Centre will all have appropriate safeguarding training. Everyone working for MusicAbility Foundation abides by strict codes of conduct and has been DBS checked. If you would like a copy of the Foundation’s full Safeguarding Policies for Children and Vulnerable Adults please email hello@musicabilityfoundation.uk.

“The Minack Theatre is delighted to work in partnership with MusicAbility to offer opportunity and development of performance skills to the West Cornwall community. It is exciting to see the development of MusicAbility Centre in Penzance, particularly given the opportunity it will give to our young people as a safe creative space where they are welcomed and supported as they develop lifelong skills and friendships.”

Zoë Curnow, Executive Director at Minack Theatre

Community and Music

9-10 Parade Street is the home of MusicAbility Foundation and the centre where some of the charity’s objects are delivered. Some other activities and events take place in other places around the region, especially in schools. You can read about some of these activities, including Concerts Penzance and UpBow Kernow! on the Community Projects page of this website.