A club night for people with learning disabilities in Lewisham will kick off next month at a popular New Cross boozer.
The Amersham Arms will host the first ever Even Stevens event, run by The Fun People Party Committee, on September 11.
The Committee, which works under KeyRing Support Networks, is a group of people with learning disabilities who meet at 11am every Wednesday at Sainsbury’s in New Cross Gate to organise events.
Ollie Ward, 34, a community living volunteer for KeyRing and events manager at The Amersham Arms, told News Shopper the Even Stevens event aims to combat loneliness that many people with learning disabilities can feel.
“One of the common issues our members in the community are having is isolation.
“We offer things like day services where people can meet up regularly and have fun – there are not as many outings for people as there used to be.
Ollie, originally from Norfolk, claimed austerity in the UK has caused services to “decline.”
He said: “Everyone has an individual support plan tailored for them which is good, but at the same time it’s come at a sacrifice of these small communities.
“I’m not a politician and I don’t claim to have all the answers but I think there has been a trade off.”
With the support of KeyRing, the Committee has organised the club night to bring people together “who would not usually interact to have some fun.”
Ollie hopes to bring together charities like Mencap and other services for people with special needs for the Even Stevens night.
He described The Fun People Party Committee as “member-led” with committee members deciding which events to run.
The club night has been organised by committee members. Photo: The Fun People Party Committee
“We want to create a community vibe and also raise money for charities that mean something to us.”
The first Even Stevens event will raise money for KeyRing’s emergency fund, which is cash set aside for people who suddenly find themselves in financial hardship.
Even Stevens at The Amersham Arms will run from 7pm-11pm on Wednesday, September 11. Tickets are £3.
The event is described as: “A club night for people with learning disabilities where everyone is treated equally.”
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