Songsational new project is looking for musical disabled people to get involved (From News Shopper)

Songsational new project is looking for musical disabled people in Lewisham to get involved

9:38am Friday 4th May 2012 in Freetime latest news By Nikki Jarvis

A harmonious duo is inviting disabled people with a passion for music and writing to take part in a creative new project.

Janna Goodwille and Carl Hodson are looking for 12 Lewisham residents with mild to moderate physical disabilities to sign up to Songsational! for eight weeks this summer.

The aim is to write at least three songs collaboratively, one which will be sung by the participants and Sydenham Garden Community Choir at Forest Fest in July.

Janna has been a community musician for 11 years and also runs the choir.

She told Vibe: “We want to encourage people who have secretly always wanted to sing or write to express themselves and come up with creative material and we want them to feel like they can.

“They might feel ‘there’s no way I could do that’ but people will really get a sense of understanding of how amazing it is to be part of a team and bouncing off each other.

“We wanted to do something that infiltrated into the local community.”

The project is being funded by the Lewisham Cultural Olympiad Take Part and is for participants over the age of 16.

Janna added: “I love the not knowing.

“We make the best-laid plans and come up with all sorts of amazing exercise to spark people but what we come up with we can’t plan.

“It’s exciting for the leaders and really exciting as a participant.”

The project takes place every Thursday between May 17 to July 5 from 3 to 5pm in the beautiful grounds of Sydenham Garden.

Janna said: “The only criteria are that people love music and love to write as part of a group – we will make it completely accessible.”

It costs £20 to be part of Songsational! which is to be paid in full during the first week.

For more information email songsational2012@gmail.com