Eglinton grant joy

Something Special, based in Eglinton, has been awarded a grant of 422,405 to run the Achieving Something Special project which will involve a range of education and arts programmes for people of all levels of disability – and music will be used to help increase their self-esteem, get inspired, and achieve things they never thought possible.

Pupils will get the chance to take part in courses such as literacy and numeracy, drama, art, and learn a range of musical instruments. They will also get involved in a performing music and arts group that will visit local community groups and schools and show that people with disabilities have real talents.

Founder Denise White started the organisation in 2007 because there was a lack of services available for people with learning disabilities in the North West. "I worked as a special needs teacher for nearly 20 years and it was clear to me that something needed to be done to tackle the poor support being offered to vulnerable adults," she said.

"When they leave school it can be very difficult for them. Further education is not suitable for many of them, they can't get jobs, and the day centres can't take them all. So they end up stuck at home and they get depressed and feel they are worthless. One student actually said if he did not come here he would just be lying in his bed all day.

"Music will underpin everything we do. All teaching sessions will be focused around music and the pupils play piano or use percussion instruments. It helps them communicate and connect with other people, charges their mood and gives them the confidence and attention to learn.

"This project gives them the chance to meet friends, develop social skills, take part in courses, improve their confidence and esteem, and change the public's attitudes to people with disabilities."

Student Christian Gavigan, 20, from the Cityside area of Londonderry, has a learning disability and has been attending the centre for the last two years.

From the start he displayed a real ability to play the piano and is part of a group that will play a special World Music Show in June at local primary schools.

"I love playing the piano and I've learnt new songs for the show such as Caribbean music and Songs of the World," he said. "I feel like I'm on top of the world when I play."

"It's great going to the centre as I have made loads of friends, we get to learn new things like literacy, and we get to try new things like painting and making cards. I would just be sitting in the house bored if I didn't go along here – it's changed my life."

The grant has been welcomed by Londonderry's deputy mayor, Maurice Devenney, who said: "This is great news. This is an excellent group of people and tremendous work is carried out. I have visited them on a number of occasions as deputy mayor and I always enjoy being there. I wish the group and the students every success."

Grants totalling over 5 million have been awarded to 14 projects under the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities Northern Ireland programme. The programme has supported a wide range of projects that have improved people's lives, created stronger communities and improved local environments.

Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, Frank Hewitt, said: "I am delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has supported such a diverse range of projects. It is heartening to see so many projects supporting disadvantaged groups within our society.

"The Reaching Communities NI programme has been very effective in ensuring that Lottery cash reaches strong and innovative projects which have a real and lasting impact on people's lives and this round of grants represents a large vote of confidence for the work of the voluntary and community sector."