In addition to completing annual programme evaluations, case studies and regular progress reports, a significant element of OFM’s success stemmed from the work we undertook with a dedicated researcher, Dr Marusa Levstek.
While working as a doctoral research candidate at the University of Sussex, Marusa became embedded in the OFM programme, supporting our collective evaluation and learning while also working towards her own PhD focused on the psychology of youth empowerment through music and the impacts on well-being of engaging in inclusive music activities. Marusa was able to regularly feedback learning to local programme leads which in turn shaped our forward-planning and delivering while also helping to grow the body of evidence in this area.
“There appears to be two main routes [to young people’s individual development through music-making]: one of internal self-development and the other in the context of the community formed around music.”Marusa Levstek
