Folk Unlimited
Join us for creative, inclusive, multi-sensory music-making sessions for disabled young people, led by Emmie Ward with a team of other folk artists.
Who is it for?
For disabled 12–30 year olds, their friends, parents and carers. Open to all abilities and levels of experience.
Young people need to live in, or be registered at a school/college in, one of these London boroughs: Barnet, Brent, Camden, City of London, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.
At Folk Unlimited you can:
- Learn to sing and play songs and tunes from Britain and across the globe
- Discover and explore instruments and accessible technology
- Learn new skills with fantastic tutors
- Make new friends
If you want to, you can also:
- Work towards a Discover Arts Award (if you are under 25)
You do not need any experience of playing an instrument or folk music to take part in Folk Unlimited. Love music? We want you to join us!
We are currently holding all sessions ONLINE but are working towards returning sessions with young people ‘in person’ at Cecil Sharp House as soon as it is possible and safe to do so.
In addition to our face-to-face sessions using Zoom we have created resources which can be used between sessions at times when it suits you. These are a good way of remembering what we have done or as a compliment if your young person finds it hard to engage during a whole Sunday session.
'In person' Folk Unlimited sessions take place in our public venue on the basement floor which is accessible by lift from the outside of the building. Carers are welcome to join in too, or can wait in our lovely café just outside the rehearsal space. Other events will be running and our cafe will be open: we cannot therefore guarantee a nut-free environment.
When and where does it take place?
Sundays, (6 per term) at Cecil Sharp House* at 2-4pm.
(Note that the online sessions are generally shorter, 1-1.5 hours, but you are also able to access our additional online resources)
*Due to Covid-19 related restrictions, if all or part of this course is not able to take place at Cecil Sharp House, it will take place online instead.
Online classes will be run using Zoom and Google Classroom. NB: You will need a Google account to access Google Classrooms.
Spring Term: 17, 31 Jan | 14, 28 Feb | 14, 28 March 2021
How much is it?
Term fee: £36 per term (advance booking required)
Single session: £6 (advance booking required)
Assistant / carer: free ticket (booking required)
We want everyone who is offered a place in Folk Unlimited to be able to take it up. Contact us if you need help with fees or transport costs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 020 7241 8953
A link to an enrolment form will be sent to you in your booking confirmation email. Please look out for this and complete it on behalf of the young person attending these sessions as soon as possible after booking their place.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your access requirements, please contact the Education department: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 020 7241 8953.
How to get the best from joining Folk Unlimited online
If all or part of this course is not able to take place at Cecil Sharp House, it will take place online instead.
Online classes will be run using Zoom and Google Classroom. NB: You will need a Google account to access Google Classrooms.
Sessions will predominantly be run using Zoom with some additional material shared via sound and video files. You do not need a Zoom account to join the course and will be able to access the sessions via your browser and our web links. A free basic Zoom account will, however, get you access to additional sound settings, which could be helpful if not essential.
For the best possible experience you will need a computer with a webcam, microphone and ear/headphones. You will also need a stable home Internet connection or 4G-mobile connection (Note that using a mobile internet connection can be costly, check your mobile phone tariffs before choosing this option). You can also use the Zoom app on a tablet or even a mobile phone; however, a larger screen will give you a better overall experience.
Terms and conditions and Policies
Meet the Folk Unlimited team
Emmie Ward holds a PG CERT in music and special needs using Sound Of Intent with Roehampton University. She is a folk musician and works as a freelance music and folk arts practitioner and teaches a range of classes for people with learning disabilities. She specialises in using a multi sensory approach to storytelling and music. Emmie has worked in a variety of settings including Day Centres, FE colleges and schools where she has worked as a teacher for many years. Projects have included “Everybody Dance Company” a millennium funded dance project with performers with complex needs and working on the show “Weighting” by Extraordinary bodies an inclusive, touring circus. Emmie also teaches on the “Get Your Folk on” holiday workshops for young disabled people.
Nicholas Goode has been a professional musician for over twenty years. He studied for a degree in music at Anglia University and then gained a PGCE in SEN/Music at Roehampton, London. He has taught and led workshops across the age range from early years to adults and worked with students with a wide range of complex needs. Nick’s main instrument is the fiddle and he also plays mandolin, banjo and accordion. As a musician, he has performed at gigs and festivals with a number of bands and artists including Sam Lee and Helen O’Hara. He has participated on recordings for a number of artists, performs regularly at ceilidhs and leads two weekly sessions. In addition to his work as a musician and educator Nick also works extensively in theatre as a composer/arranger, as musical director and as an actor-musician.
Alice Rose is our Inclusive Folk trainee music leader. She is a singer / songwriter and guitarist who likes to draw inspiration from all walks of life and different music genres. Trained at the prestigious BRIT school she has performed as professional singer at Glastonbury Festival, Lords Cricket Ground and appeared on BBC TV. She has worked abroad as a resident singer in hotels as well as performed in touring children’s pantomimes. In addition to her solo career, Alice is currently working as a facilitator and resident musician at a community for young adults with learning disabilities.
The Carter’s Health
This song collected in Sussex (https://www.vwml.org/record/RoudFS/S140491) was part of our countryside theme in the summer term. The lyrics and hand movements are commands used by carters to control their horses. The video was made by our trainee Alice Burnard.
Can you sing along with Alice, learn the movements, and connect them with the words?
“Hey” means “right”
“Re” means “left”
“Hoo” means “stop”
“Gee” means “go on”
Here are the lyrics to help you get started:
Of all the horses in the merry greenwood
The bobtailed mare bears the bells away.
There is Hey, there is Ree, there is Hoo, there is Gee,
But the bobtailed mare bears the bells away.
Hey, Ree, Hoo, Gee,
But the bobtailed mare bears the bells away.
Folk Unlimited is supported by John Lyon’s Charity.
If you have any questions about our programme for disabled young people, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 020 7241 8953.
