Glasgow charity to help d/Deaf children experience music

Ignite Arts, based in Glasgow, supports d/Deaf children and their families through accessible, specialist music education, and would like to be able to do so all over Scotland but is limited by funding.

Trustee Ailie Robertson said the service is more important than ever but warned that rising costs and growing demand are stretching resources thin.

Ignite Arts gives d/Deaf children the chance to experience music  (Image: Ignite Arts)

Ailie Robertson said: "Costs are continually rising, alongside demand for our services.

"We’re getting more referrals as the need for support continues to grow.

"We’d love to be able to provide activities for d/Deaf children all over Scotland but are limited by funding.

"The cost-of-living affects all our overheads – venue hire, travel costs, etc – while making it harder to secure donations and funding.

"At the same time, more people are finding it difficult to afford creative activities, increasing the need for accessible, low-cost arts programmes.

"This has put extra pressure on us to continue delivering projects with limited resources."

Ignite Arts gives d/Deaf children the chance to experience music  (Image: Ignite Arts)

Each year, up to 2000 children in the UK are born with some level of permanent hearing loss, and the need for family-focused support remains high.

Ignite Arts runs programmes such as Deafinitely Musical, a series of inclusive workshops that give d/Deaf children the opportunity to explore music in a supportive environment.

Ailie said: "It’s an area that’s really lacking in provision but is so important.

"Across all ages, there are more than 50,000 d/Deaf children and young people in the UK, meaning the demand for specialist support is high.

"Many of the families we support are navigating the challenges of a new diagnosis, often with little or no prior experience of deafness.

"More than 90% of d/Deaf children are born to hearing parents, so families often need emotional support, practical guidance, and access to information to help them communicate with and support their child."

Ignite Arts gives d/Deaf children the chance to experience music  (Image: Ignite Arts)

Music education has been found to significantly benefit d/Deaf children, supporting cognitive and motor skills, as well as helping to develop both spoken and signed language.

Ignite Arts workshops also offer a space where d/Deaf children can express themselves, connect with others, and feel a sense of belonging.

Ailie said: "Many d/Deaf children and their families have limited access to inclusive music opportunities that are designed specifically to meet their communication and learning needs.

"Unlike mainstream music activities, our projects are tailored for d/Deaf children, and we’ve created an accessible environment where they can build confidence, express themselves creatively, and connect with peers who share similar experiences.

"We also support families by providing a welcoming community and specialist understanding that may not be available through other services."

Children supported by Ignite Arts also get the chance to nurture their talents in classes led by talented d/Deaf musicians.

Ignite Arts gives d/Deaf children the chance to experience music  (Image: Ignite Arts)

Ailie said: "One child had the opportunity to try a trombone for the first time through our Deafinitely Musical sessions.

"They discovered a real passion and talent for the instrument, and as a result have gone on to take regular trombone lessons.

"It's a wonderful example of how providing accessible opportunities can spark a lifelong interest, build confidence, and open doors that might otherwise never have been available."

Ignite Arts recently received a helpful boost after winning a £500 grant from easyfundraising’s 2026 Impact Fund, which helps charities raise money through online shopping.

Supporters who use the easyfundraising website can raise funds for Ignite Arts each time they make an online purchase, with retailers donating a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to the shopper.

For more information, or to sign up and support Ignite Arts through easyfundraising, visit the charity’s website.