An Electric Umbrella Crew Day is an alternative to traditional services for learning disabled people such as ‘day opportunities’ or day services.
Crew Days are fantastically full and varied at Electric Umbrella where members take part in meaningful opportunities working alongside professional musicians in public-facing situations, whether that be in our workshop, in schools or in other corporate organisations.
We run Crew Days with different content that can be tailored to suit the needs and interests of the individuals taking part, whether that be working alongside musical experts to restore and reimagine instruments, act as our front of house crew, perform and lead workshops in schools or corporate organisations, or roadie for our performances, setting up and packing down the equipment.
Everyone learns new skills, makes new friends and has lots of fun in the process!
No. It’s our job to introduce people to exciting new activities and tailor the opportunity to meet individual needs in order to teach new skills, develop independence and grow confidence. Our Electric Umbrella staff and volunteers work shoulder-to-shoulder with members, empowering them all the way.
From the age of 16+! We currently have Crew Members of all adult ages including people into their 60s.
Members work with our Head of Member Development so we can understand their interests, skills and ambitions and the structure of their involvement is built accordingly.
No chance!
Our Crew Day programme enables participants to participate in a range of meaningful music-based activities. You can spend time in our Instruments For Change Workshop, reconditioning or re-imagining donated instruments. Or perhaps you'd like to take part in the workshops and performances we run in schools and other organisations with our professional musicians.
Everything we do is co-produced with members, helping them build skills and confidence.
In short, a lot. Public speaking & performing, restoring instruments, customer service, stage set up, and working with money (and the wider general public) all feature in the programme.
Everything members do is meaningful.
It helps them find purpose, and in so doing they are able to enjoy being part of a real team, learn lots of new skills, develop working relationships and gain confidence, make lasting friendships, improve independence, and build resilience.
Absolutely not - there are plenty of different opportunities!
Yes. Full days run from 10am-4pm with half days available 10am-1pm or 1-4pm.
Yes! Many members join on more than one day to make the most of what’s on offer. Check with us about the latest availability.
We have many non verbal members who take part in our sessions. We are experts in finding ways to help people express themselves through music!
We don’t currently offer help with travel, as our members live near and far.
The skills developed on Crew Days through social and work based activities will give members the confidence and experience to progress their employment journey with other agencies should that be their interest.
Our staff and volunteer team are all DBS checked and have a wealth of training and experience in working with vulnerable people.
Our safeguarding policies and risk assessments are available upon request.
Electric Umbrella is regulated by the Charity Commission and is run by an experienced staff team who are supported by a strong board of trustees. All staff undergo regular training and supervision.
The fee covers the cost of the support in place to ensure the experience is meaningful to all those who take part.
Please contact us for information about our fees.
Sometimes it takes three people to play a cello. At Electric Umbrella we believe that with the right support, anyone can achieve anything! Our members work shoulder to shoulder with our staff team and are critical to everything we do.
At Electric Umbrella, we work with people from a number of counties near and far. Every local authority has a different approach to commissioning services so that would be a ginormous task for our organisation, and we don’t want to restrict ourselves to only being able to support people in a particular geographical area.
Instead we invest all our resources into our services for members and our own robust policies and procedures in order to meet the requirements for as many people as possible.
Our staff team has a vast array of training and experience spanning social care, education, therapeutic services, and music. The staff team are passionate about improving the lives of learning disabled people and share a firm belief in inclusion and a person-centred approach to all that we do.
All staff are experienced in Makaton and Intensive Interaction.
Our CEO is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). All staff undertake regular CPD and training.
Most people accessing Crew Days fund them through Personal Budgets or Direct Payments. Payment is taken monthly on a rolling basis.
We are able to accept payment from local authorities if required - or directly from individuals via direct debit.
There is no referral process at Electric Umbrella.
Simply, speak directly to our team who will be able to give you more information and arrange a visit or a trial session.
Absolutely!
We welcome visits from social workers and prospective members to our Emporium to see the opportunities in action and find out more!
We will be able to answer any questions and talk you through all the options and trial sessions can be arranged!
Don't worry - just drop us an email.
Click here to get in touch!
Yes! Click here
to download a copy of our guide for social workers
