In this episode Jamie Read, the partnership and inclusion manager at Berkshire Music Trust, gives an insight into the charity’s activities and a look at what goes on behind the scenes. The discussion initially covers the trust’s mission, its name evolution, and its diverse community work.

The conversation then delves into the trust's various activities, which are divided into three areas: schools, music centres, and communities. The trust also partners with other charities and organisations to serve communities that have traditionally been underserved.

Finally, the discussion touches on the trust's biggest challenge: funding and staff. Jamie shares ways in which they generate revenue and how the trust measures its success. Jamie concludes with a message about the trust’s goal of making music for everyone, regardless of their background or previous experience. He says that there is no such thing as someone who can't make music, just someone who hasn't made music yet.

TIME CODES

00:00 Greeting

00:40 What is Berkshire Music Trust

00:59 Berkshire Music Trust’s name change and reasons behind it

02:49 Jamie’s background

04:18 What Jamie’s role as Partnership and inclusion manager involves

06:39 How Berkshire Music Trust serves Reading

08:19 How Berkshire Music Trust collaborates with others

10:50 How Berkshire Music Trust sets project boundaries

12:05 Finding funding opportunities

13:18 How Berkshire Music Trust measures impact

15:00 Long-term case studies/ measuring impact over a long period of time

17:31 How Berkshire Music Trust trains its staff

19:00 Final thoughts

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Power of a Strong Brand and Mission

Berkshire Music Trust's name change from Berkshire Maestros was a strategic move to be more inclusive and appeal to a broader audience. This highlights that a brand's name, while just one word, can instantly create a barrier to access for potential customers. A strong, inclusive brand that clearly aligns with your mission can help you connect with your target audience and remove potential barriers to entry.

Creative Solutions for Revenue and Community Engagement

The trust has found innovative ways to generate revenue beyond traditional donations. This not only provides services that businesses need but also funnels the money back into the trust’s charitable projects. This shows that businesses can create new revenue streams by leveraging existing assets and offering unique services.

The Value of Strategic Partnerships

Jamie emphasises the importance of partnerships, which he actively seeks out with local businesses, grassroots organisations, and arts venues. By collaborating with other organisations, the trust can create a wider range of beneficiaries, which is something that funding grants often look for.