Sarah (founder and CEO)

Sarah is a qualified secondary music teacher with over 13 years’ experience of teaching music in secondary schools, alongside experience of teaching piano, clarinet and inclusive music making to students of all ages. Currently, she is a post graduate researcher at the University of Leeds exploring how eye gaze technology can be used in music making for disabled Augmentative and Alternative (AAC) users.

Sarah loves learning new things and recently completed an MA in Music and Wellbeing at the University of Leeds. She is also a certified EyeHarp specialist and has also completed assessment training for the Trinity College London Sounds of Intent Awards and Certificates in Musical Development.  In her spare time Sarah loves to go running and has ran 3 marathons, her favourite being the 2021 London Marathon, raising over £1100 for AIM.

“I have 2 children who both love music. My son is disabled with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and I discovered that it was much more difficult for him to actively participate in extra curricular musical opportunities. This inspired me to set up Accessible Inclusive Music- AIM.”

Chloe (treasurer)

Chloe uses her skills as a Chartered Certified Accountant to support AIM in her role as treasurer. During her high school years in Yorkshire, she was heavily involved in the music department, which included being a music prefect, playing the flute in the school orchestra and concert band, as well as singing in the choir.

“Sarah (AIM founder) was my GCSE music teacher in 2011. Being keen runners, Sarah and I have remained in touch on social media, following each other’s journeys. I now feel very privileged to be able to use the skills learnt in my career as a Chartered Certified Accountant to work with AIM, such a positive organisation, helping those in need.”

Claire (secretary)

Claire met Sarah (chair/founder) through the Great Yorkshire Chorus, sharing their joint love of singing. Claire is now retired but she was a deputy head teacher in a large high school. Her role was to be in charge of the pastoral care and safeguarding.

“For me, music is all about emotions. It can make us happy, sad, joyful and thoughtful. Music makes memories and I am sure everyone hears a tune that takes them to a certain time in their lives. I was a bit of an Osmond fan in the 1970’s!

Being part of AIM is about being able to provide access to all this and make memories if we can. It doesn’t matter if you sing, play an instrument or just listen, everyone can take part and I have seen first hand the joy music can bring.”

Chloe

Chloe is a disability freelance writer and a senior content designer for DWP Digital, working to improve the content on GOV.UK. She has been sharing her lived experiences of being disabled for over 10 years and is passionate about raising awareness and challenging stereotypes. Chloe also has a guide dog called Dezzie who is an honorary trustee!

“I can’t wait to get involved with AIM, they have inclusivity at the heart! Music is such a powerful tool and it’s great to see everyone being involved with that. It’s refreshing to see true inclusion.”

Hannah

Hannah is the Head of Development at Purple Patch Arts, a charity that provide creative, inclusive learning experiences for learning-disabled people. Since studying Music for her undergrad at the University of Manchester, she has gained experience in facilitation, project management, evaluation, and fundraising, and is passionate about understanding and measuring impact to develop and improve work, and ensure its sustainability.

Just like Sarah, Hannah loves to learn and met Sarah whilst studying the Music and Wellbeing postgraduate degree at the University of Leeds.

“Music has always been a massive part of my life, and I strongly believe that everybody should have the opportunity to experience the power and joy of music. The work that AIM does is amazing, and I’m so excited to use my skills and passion to support the charity in its next steps!” 

Karen

Karen is passionate about accessible music making.

She has been a SEND music practitioner since 2018 and has lots of experience working with groups and individuals who are disabled and/or have additional needs both online and face to face.

She has a Bachelors degree in music from the University of Birmingham and PGCert in music and special needs (Sounds of Intent). She is also a qualified sound therapist.

Karen and Georgie have been working together since 2019. Currently, they run a social enterprise called Songs, Signs & Sounds together which gives people access to inclusive and accessible musical experiences.

Georgie

Georgie graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2019 with a music degree and a desire to work in music education and community music. After graduation, they trained to become a SEND music practitioner whilst completing the PGCert in Music and Special Needs (Sounds of Intent).

They now deliver group and 1 to 1 inclusive music sessions, perform in an alt-folk duo and has recently qualified as a sound therapist.

Georgie has also been working with Karen since 2019 as part of their social enterprise Songs, Signs and Sounds which provides inclusive and accessible musical experiences.

Kalila

Kalila is a vocalist, DJ, and keys player. She has an undergraduate degree in Music and Music Psychology and a MA in Music and Wellbeing from the University of Leeds. Her two year position as president of the university’s community music volunteering society (LUUMIC) saw the development of her skillset as a practitioner, and a special interest in working with the elderly, and young people with SEND. With LUUMIC, she delivered music sessions in care homes and hospices, and collaborated with various charities in the Leeds area. 

Currently, Kalila delivers online singing and piano lessons to young people with additional needs for AIM. Prior to this she ran interactive music sessions, facilitated by AIM,for children with SEND at the charity Moor Time. To support this work, she has completed an introductory training session into the Sounds of Intent Framework with YAMSEN and volunteered at the AIM online inclusive choir, often contributing by leading the hello song, or running the warm up.

She hopes that her current work with AIM will form part of a career in delivering community music programs, and specialist music education for young people with SEND. 

“I am passionate about the therapeutic potential of music, and believe that people of all ages and abilities should have the opportunity for meaningful music participation to support their wellbeing, and musical development.”

Warren

Warren has been a member of the AIM online inclusive choir since it started in 2021. During this time, he has developed his skills in singing, signing and playing musical instruments; performing with increasing confidence and using these skills to develop his own creative ideas. He enjoys supporting the choir leaders in rehearsals by demonstrating parts of the songs the choir are learning and he is currently having piano lessons supported by AIM. Warren has also passed his Trinity College London (Sounds of Intent) entry level 2 and 3 qualifications in musical development with distinction and merit.  

Warren believes that music for all is really important and he is keen to share his ideas with the AIM trustees and practitioners. He is particularly keen for AIM to develop the ways in which we showcase what everyone has been up to in the online choir and lessons, and we can’t wait to work with Warren on this!

Beth

Beth has been a member of the AIM online inclusive choir since it started in 2021. During this time, she has developed her musicality, singing skills and confidence and now enjoys supporting the choir leaders to lead rehearsals, often singing the vocal part so other members of the choir can practice their signing and alternate parts. Beth enjoys having singing lessons supported by AIM. She also plays the piano and in 2025, Beth passed her ABRSM Grade 1 Music Theory exam with distinction.

Beth is passionate about musical opportunities for all children and young people, and she is always spreading the word of AIM, encouraging people to come and try out the online inclusive choir. She is keen to feedback her ideas to the AIM trustees and practitioners to support the development and growth of AIM and the musical opportunities it offers.

Pat

Pat met Sarah (AIM founder/chair) when they taught together at Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Otley, where she was an assistant headteacher responsible for inclusion, safeguarding, extended services and SENCo.

“When I started teaching children were segregated and separated according to their additional needs. Many children were in residential schools. Thankfully all children are included in mainstream schools today.

I firmly believe that every child has the right to an inclusive, varied and exciting education. I have so often witnessed how extra curricular opportunities and experience have been truly life changing in promoting confidence, enjoyment and positive outcomes for children.

The music making opportunities of AIM will provide these positives for many children with additional needs and their families.”

Richard

Richard has been a research professional since 2004, having a wealth of knowledge in supporting and contributing to grant funding and project delivery. He has worked in industry and higher education, previously holding positions as Research & Innovation Development Manager, and Partnership Manager.

“I am volunteering to support AIM’s ambition of making music accessible to all, being both a parent with lived experience of having a disabled child and having a passion for music making. My interests are looking at the impact of arts and culture on learning, experience, and wellbeing.”