A CHARITY has issued a six-point plan after warning that children in rural areas of North Yorkshire risk further isolation and limited life skills unless access to out-of-school music is improved.

Leaders of youth music development charity NYMAZ told a conference in Thirsk that limited transport options and prohibitive travel costs for specialist teachers were curtailing young people's access to music opportunities and general development.

Speaking at the Young People, Music and Rural Isolation Symposium, NYMAZ director Heidi Johnson outlined its research report Gone In The Air, which highlights the challenges facing children in rural areas and the benefits participatory music can have on life chances.

The report found taking part in music activities outside school led to enhanced social and personal skills for children, which influence their future employability.

Ms Johnson criticised the Arts Council's music education hubs scheme, which was launched in 2012.

At the time, Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "All children, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances, should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and to play and sing with others."

Ms Johnson said: “We are disappointed that there seems to be a stronger emphasis on music education hubs focusing their work in backing music teaching in formal education settings.

"In rural areas we can evidence the absolute importance of out-of-school, informal provision and call for it to be more highly valued and better supported.”

The report made a series of policy and practice recommendations in an attempt to influence the way in which non-formal, inclusive music provision is funded and delivered.

It called upon Arts Council England and youth music organisations to support non-formal, inclusive music provision and for youth music organisations and hubs to invest in workforce development in rural areas and make young people aware of employment opportunities within the creative industries.

Other recommendations included a call for youth music organisations and hubs to test and invest in digital technology solutions and for the higher-than-average per unit costs of activities in rural areas to be taken into account.

The charity also pressed for music leaders in rural areas to highlight music opportunities and for work to improve parent's engagement with musical activities.

Attending the conference, North Yorkshire County Council's children's services boss, Councillor Tony Hall said: "Having been involved in schools locally, I know music is important to children's development so they can find their full potential and express themselves artistically as well as academically."