Changing Lives Through Music

Get Sorted were featured on the front page of the Winter 2010 'Rotherham People Power', Rotherham's "Community Engagement Bulletin, which is available for download.

DJ Daz hits the decks!

A group of local people with learning disabilities have taken action to enhance their skills and improve their lives through an eight-month programme held at the Get Sorted Music Academy in Rotherham, in partnership with an organisation called Reach 4 the Stars.

The academy, based at Westgate, aims to ‘change lives through music’ by giving people the confidence to perform in public, whilst improving their motivation and raising their self esteem.

Almost 30 adults attend the weekly workshop sessions, which include DJ skills, VK-ing (playing videos as a backdrop for people to dance to in nightclubs), singing karaoke and even playing electric guitar in a band. All the sessions are designed to build on an individual’s skills and lead to a final performance.

Darren Warmsley, AKA MC Big Daz, said: “I really enjoy the workshops. I have got better at DJ-ing since I started coming here. We made a Christmas rap this week and I’m really looking forward to being able to DJ in a proper nightclub!”

The workshops at Get Sorted have had a major impact on their lives, as Genya Johnson, Executive Director of Get Sorted, explains: “It is easy to see the confidence that these people have as a result of their involvement with music. Their families and carers have noticed a big difference too, mainly that they are becoming more outgoing, have a wider circle of friends and it has really given them something positive in their lives that they really look forward to.”

The group have already impressed many people with their DJ skills at their first official performance at the Fairs Fayre in Magna in September. Now they are working towards the ‘Under the Stars’ nightclub event being held for people with learning disabilities at Liquid nightclub in Rotherham in March. This event is expected to attract up to 600 people.

Ruth Parrott, Managing Director of Reach 4 the Stars, an organisation that runs events for people with learning disabilities, said: “People with learning disabilities have limited opportunities to meet up with friends and the nightclub events give them a great chance to get together. The workshops are working really well and I can’t wait to see the new trainees perform on the night.”

If you would like to find out more about these music workshops for people with learning disabilities or to get involved in these nightclub events, contact Ruth Parrott on 07834 547484.