Judges’ Award 2026 Gold £500,000 - 1Million
Electric Umbrella presents the film “It’s Not a Crime to Be Different” part of a vibrant, fearless, music-based campaign making noise for unity, respect, and zero tolerance for hate in any form.
Born from a spontaneous songwriting session when Hertfordshire Constabulary hate-crime officers visited one of our workshops, the collaboration sparked a full-scale campaign. Alongside this music video and song, there is an accompanying documentary and educational resources available free to all schools.
A nationwide week of street performances, assemblies and community events coincided with National Hate Crime Awareness week - including taking our message all the way to the Houses of Parliament and 10 Downing Street. But this is a message for all year round, and we’re taking it into schools and communities across the UK, using music to challenge hate and celebrate inclusion.
This isn’t just about the video; it’s about the message: difference is not a weakness, it’s a strength. We use music as our voice, our stage and our platform to challenge perceptions and amplify the voices of learning disabled people. Through the video and campaign, we stand together declaring: Hate has no place here.
It’s a movement. And together, we’re ensuring that the music and the message continue to play all year long.
Film by Sam Clifford
At Electric Umbrella, we harness the power of music to challenge perceptions, break down barriers, and redefine societal norms. Our mission is to create a truly inclusive society – one where everyone, regardless of ability, is seen, heard, and celebrated. More than just performance, our work is about shifting mindsets, empowering individuals, and making inclusion a lived reality in every community we touch.
Because we believe there’s no such thing as “normal.”
At Electric Umbrella, our 2,000-strong community collaborates with professional musicians to create extraordinary performances, from singalongs and workshops to live shows and festivals, reaching tens of thousands annually.
Our Education Programme for both SEND and mainstream schools delivers a range of curriculum music & EDI workshop and performance opportunities along with digital teaching resources, through our Electric Umbrella Academy programme, which can be used alongside, or as a standalone resource for schools beyond our geographic area. Since 2020, we’ve worked with hundreds of schools, both online and in person, using the power of music to spark conversations about difference, breaking down barriers, and inspiring lasting change around inclusion.
What makes us different is that everything is delivered by our amazing learning disabled crew members alongside our team of professional musicians. Whilst our individual workshops challenge perceptions, reduce prejudice and increase acceptance, the impact of regular visits can support the development of a truly inclusive culture in schools.
* 12 years of supporting learning disabled people
* 40,000 students and teachers reached annually
* 2,000+ active community members
* 100+ live events every year
* 600+ workshops delivered
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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