Funding Support and Advice
For Carers and Parents
Help and Guidance to:
Funding for Your Electric Umbrella Membership
Help and Guidance to:
Funding for Your Electric Umbrella Membership
Finding the right funding to support a place at Electric Umbrella can be a challenge, but we’re here to help.
Our guide provides essential information for carers on securing direct payments, personal budgets, and other funding sources. Most of our members receive financial support, and we aim to make this process as smooth as possible for you.
We are a charity that does not seek to make a profit. Our fees offer outstanding value for money. We want to support and enable all members and potential members to access our services. We don’t want finances to be a barrier, so please contact us to discuss funding further.
Navigating Funding
Each council has its own approach to funding, which can be confusing. Our guide anticipates common questions and helps carers explain Electric Umbrella’s unique value to social workers.
Support Network
We’re available to discuss your funding needs and options. Feel free to click here to email us and set up a conversation with our team.
Unlock Potential with the Right Support
Why Securing Funding for Our Programs is Worth It
At Electric Umbrella, we offer a variety of programs that provide meaningful, social, and work-based activities and fun for learning disabled adults.
These activities are primarily delivered through our Crew Days and Face/Feel The Music sessions—paid programmes that don’t just provide amazing working experiences but truly help to change lives by developing communication skills and confidence.
We are driven by the belief that learning disabled people are all too often left behind because social care models are hardwired to focus on surviving, not thriving. We help participants from age 16 to 60+ thrive in ways traditional social care models often overlook.
Given the right support and opportunities, we believe anyone can be a superstar!
Participants can visit SEND and mainstream schools, performing and delivering our message that there’s no such thing as normal. Members can be part of the performance, tech crew or just there to cheer on the team.
We also offer the opportunity to join in-person or online deep dives into musical expression, connecting members with an inclusive and supportive community. Members are able to improve their social skills and make magical music moments.
We're here to help!
We are always happy to chat to future members, carers or, with your agreement, social workers. Simply send our team an email and we’ll get back to you.
The Impact of Electric Umbrella Activities
Enhanced Personal Development:
Participating in our activities helps members develop crucial communication skills and build self-confidence. These experiences foster personal growth and prepare members for more independent and fulfilling lives or just give them a chance to experience joy and acceptance.
Social Integration and Community Building:
Our programs provide a supportive environment where members can form meaningful connections and friendships. Being part of a community that values inclusion and mutual support enhances social skills and a sense of belonging.
Skill Acquisition and Personal Fulfilment:
Members engage in a variety of work-based activities that offer practical experience and skill development. Whether it’s through performing, leading workshops, or technical roles, these opportunities enable members to pursue their interests and passions, contributing to a sense of personal fulfilment and achievement.
The Power of Participation
The Power of Participation
Our members tell us that the most important thing about Electric Umbrella is friendship and belonging.
For members like William, Electric Umbrella has made an enormous difference as he has found what he describes as “family”. Your support makes this possible.
Watch William’s story to see how your support changes lives. Every contribution makes a significant difference.
Video: William’s Electric Umbrella journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overview:
What is a Crew Day?
An Electric Umbrella Crew Day is an alternative to traditional services for learning disabled people such as ‘day opportunities’ or day services.
Crew Days are fantastically full and varied at Electric Umbrella where members take part in meaningful opportunities working alongside professional musicians in public-facing situations, whether that be in our workshop, in schools or in other corporate organisations.
We run Crew Days with different content that can be tailored to suit the needs and interests of the individuals taking part, whether that be working alongside musical experts to restore and reimagine instruments, act as our front of house crew, perform and lead workshops in schools or corporate organisations, or roadie for our performances, setting up and packing down the equipment.
Everyone learns new skills, makes new friends and has lots of fun in the process!
What do members get out of Electric Umbrella?
In short, a lot. Public speaking and performing, stage set up, and working with other people all feature in the programme.
Everything members do is meaningful.
It helps them find purpose, and in doing so they are able to enjoy being part of a real team, learn lots of new skills, develop working relationships and gain confidence, make lasting friendships, improve independence, and build resilience.
Are you not just describing a ‘music club’?
No chance!
Our Crew Day programme enables participants to participate in a range of meaningful music-based activities. You can spend time taking part in the workshops and performances we run in schools and other organisations with our professional musicians.
Everything we do is co-produced with members, helping them build skills and confidence.
What is co-production?
Sometimes it takes three people to play a cello. At Electric Umbrella we believe that with the right support, anyone can achieve anything!
Our members work shoulder to shoulder with our staff team and are critical to everything we do.
Eligibility and Participation:
Are the Crew Days open to people of all ages?
From the age of 16+!
We currently have Crew Members of all adult ages, including people into their 60s.
Do you have to be musical to come to a Crew Day?
Absolutely not – there are plenty of different opportunities!
Do people need specific skills to get involved?
No. It’s our job to introduce people to exciting new activities and tailor the opportunity to meet individual needs in order to teach new skills, develop independence and grow confidence.
Our Electric Umbrella staff and volunteers work shoulder-to-shoulder with members, empowering them all the way.
Can my client attend more than one Crew Day if they enjoy it?
Yes! Many members join on more than one day to make the most of what’s on offer. Check with us about the latest availability. Email the team.
A whole day might be a bit too long, do you offer half days?
Yes. Full days run from 10am-4pm with half days available 10am-1pm or 1-4pm.
My client is non-verbal - how can they take part in your activities?
We have many non verbal members who take part in our sessions. We are experts in finding ways to help people express themselves through music!
Support and Staff Credentials:
How do you manage safeguarding?
Our staff and volunteer team are all DBS checked and have a wealth of training and experience in working with vulnerable people.
Our safeguarding policies and risk assessments are available upon request.
Are your services audited or regulated (such as by the Care Commission)?
Electric Umbrella is regulated by the Charity Commission and is run by an experienced staff team who are supported by a strong board of trustees. All staff undergo regular training and supervision.
What's your expertise?
Our staff team has a vast array of training and experience spanning social care, education, therapeutic services, and music. The staff team are passionate about improving the lives of learning disabled people and share a firm belief in inclusion and a person-centred approach to all that we do.
All staff are experienced in Makaton and Intensive Interaction.
Our CEO is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). All staff undertake regular CPD and training.
Funding and Payment Options:
What does the fee cover?
The fee covers the cost of the support in place to ensure the experience is meaningful to all those who take part.
Please contact us for information about our fees.
Surely as a non-commissioned service, councils cannot provide funding for my client?
Most people accessing Crew Days fund them through Personal Budgets or Direct Payments. Payment is taken monthly on a rolling basis.
We are able to accept payment from local authorities if required – or directly from individuals via direct debit.
Why are you not registered as a commissioned service?
At Electric Umbrella, we work with people from a number of counties near and far. Every local authority has a different approach to commissioning services so that would be a ginormous task for our organisation, and we don’t want to restrict ourselves to only being able to support people in a particular geographical area.
Instead we invest all our resources into our services for members and our own robust policies and procedures in order to meet the requirements for as many people as possible.
Getting Started:
Is there a referral process for Crew Days?
There is no referral process at Electric Umbrella.
Simply, speak directly to our team who will be able to give you more information and arrange a visit or a trial session
How do members know which type of Crew Day would suit their needs and interests?
Members work with our team so we can understand their interests, skills and ambitions and the structure of their involvement is built accordingly.
Does Electric Umbrella arrange travel for members?
We don’t currently offer help with travel, as our members live near and far.
Do Crew Days at Electric Umbrella lead to paid employment?
The skills developed on Crew Days through social and work based activities will give members the confidence and experience to progress their employment journey with other agencies should that be their interest.
Can we (including our social worker) come and see Crew Days in action?
Absolutely! We welcome visits from social workers and prospective members to our Studio to see the opportunities in action and find out more.
We will be able to answer any questions and talk you through all the options and trial sessions can be arranged.
Got another question? Send our team an email and we’ll get back to you.
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