A weekly Zoom music group for people with learning disabilities in Lewisham is going from strength to strength - having tripled in size since November.

Run by Lewisham Speaking Up, a local advocacy organisation giving a stronger voice to people with learning disabilities, the session was set up to provide an enjoyable, engaging relief from lockdown.

Lockdowns can be harder for people with learning disabilities, as they are more likely to be stuck at home and reliant on others to organise activities. 

Joe Fitton, a self-advocacy supporter with Lewisham Speaking Up is the DJ for the weekly sessions. He said: “I absolutely love joining these sessions.

“In a past life I worked in the music industry so having to opportunity to mix two of my passions, music and supporting people with learning disabilities, is a dream come true!

“The weekly group started off with about ten people with learning disabilities attending: we now have up to 38 people coming each week: it is very popular.

“People who come to the music session range from people who live on their own to people who live with family or carers, to people who live in Supported Living Houses."

People with learning disabilities can join the music session, which takes place on Friday from 4pm – 5.30pm by emailing LSU’s SelfAdvocacy Coordinator, Marsh Stitchman, for the Zoom code at martin.stitchman@lsup.org.uk.