Free educational activity launches for young people with learning disabilities in Liverpool

An award winning national educational music project joined forces with The Salvation Army, Stoneycroft Corps (church), Liverpool to offer a taster day for young people aged 18-30 with learning disabilities.

The corps already runs a social enterprise project, Recycles which trains young people with learning disabilities, and anyone else from the local community, in bike maintenance.

David Stanely, who runs the Music Man Project UK, said: “We were really excited to be invited by The Salvation Army to run a taster in Liverpool. We’re keen for young people with learning disabilities to be given the same opportunities as anyone else and it was great to see how engaged everyone was today.

“There’s some great talent here and it was wonderful to witness how proud they all were of their achievements.”

The Music Man project currently operates in Essex, Kent, Suffolk, Sussex, London (in partnership with the Royal College of Music), Northern Ireland and South Africa. It is the UK’s first full-time music education service specifically for children and adults with learning disabilities.

The Salvation Army’s Stoneycroft Corps has established The Recycles Project which takes place at the Old Swan church. It relies heavily on volunteers who give up their time to support those taking part. 

June Ardrey, who has three children with Special Educational Needs, said: 

“It’s been wonderful to find out more about Recycles which runs at Stoneycroft Corps. I had no idea young people with learning disabilities could take part in a free course to learn how to maintain bikes. It’s fantastic and can help with employability which is a real hurdle for young people with learning disabilities.”

Phil who runs the project, said: “Recycles has proven popular with the local community who have donated bikes which has been wonderful. It would be fantastic if volunteers could come forward as we are keen to continue to offer this opportunity local people who would like to train in bike maintenance.”

The Salvation Army is committed to supporting young people with learning disabilities and providing the opportunities needed to improve employability. The church and charity is currently raising funds to create a training hub for young people with learning disabilities at its former children’s home, Strawberry Field in Woolton. To find out more and to donate visit – www.strawberryfieldliverpool.com.

To find out more about how you can volunteer at Recycles or to find out about opportunities The Salvation Army is running for young people with learning disabilities please contact - www.salvationarmy.org.uk/liverpool-stoneycroft

To find out more about The Music Man Project UK, please visit www.themusicmanrproject.com.