Orchestra helps man with autism feel he belongs

A trumpet player says an accessible orchestra has helped him communicate through a new language and feel that he belongs to a "wonderful community".

Cameron Jacobs, from Salisbury in Wiltshire, who has autism, ADHD and Tourette's, said joining Orchestras for All seven years ago helped him feel part of a club when many others rejected him.

The 20-year-old, who is now a trustee of the orchestra, has grown in confidence and has since achieved many other feats, including breaking a world record for running the fastest London Marathon barefoot.

Jacobs said: "I feel like music is another language. It feels like you are speaking to people in the audience."

The orchestra aims to help children and teenagers from all backgrounds learn classical music.

Before joining Orchestras for All, Jacobs struggled to find a musical setting which made him feel comfortable.

His mum Polly said: "At the time, he had been out of school for nearly a year and it felt like he had faced so much rejection from schools and clubs.

"For the first time [with Orchestras for All] we felt it was somewhere which wanted to accept him with his own uniqueness exactly the way he is.

"I think for any parent looking after a child that has additional needs, there are lot of challenges and life can feel a little bit hopeless sometimes.

Jacobs said when he first joined, he remembers feeling "so excited" that he could just be himself and enjoy the music.

"I feel like I am part of a wonderful community," he added.

"To be part of an orchestra and to play to others, I feel very proud."

Jacobs has also developed leadership skills by becoming an ambassador for the orchestra.

And in 2025, he ran the London Marathon to raise money for Orchestras for All and set a Guinness World Record for fastest-ever barefoot runner at the event.

A BBC interview after he finished the marathon went viral, with millions watching him hail his mother as an inspiration.

"There is a quote I have held throughout my life and it's, believe you can and you're halfway there," he said.

Nick Thorne, executive director of the orchestra, said Jacobs has become an integral part of the orchestra.

"From a key member of the trumpet section to creating Cam's running, walking and rolling club - a group supporting everyone to be active each morning.

"He's supported many young people to following his own journey of development - and support them all to progress both musically and building key life skills."

Jacobs now has aspirations to work in community music or as a music teacher.

Orchestras for All is performing a free concert in Salisbury at 18:30 BST on Saturday at St Thomas's Church.

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