Disability singing group Songbeat hits the high notes

It’s being sung over an electronic reggae beat. Members of the group sing, shake percussion instruments, bang drums and play guitars.

It’s a bit rusty but it’s coming together – after all, the group, Songbeat, for adults with learning difficulties, has only been meeting for a matter of weeks and this song is their own creation.

And even more importantly, everyone is enjoying themselves.

Stuart Jebbit, a community musician from Eastleigh, walks around the room, sometimes inviting members of the group to strum his guitar or singing with them.

Boxes of colourful instruments and props sit in the centre of the room, to be dived into to enhance the session.

Stuart set Songbeat up on the suggestion of his private students, Max Etheridge.

“The idea is to encourage people to make music as an enrichment activity,”

explains Stuart.

“I hope the group will increase people’s confidence and encourage them not to be scared to try instruments.

“I think there has been a disconnection with music. It’s not just for professional musicians. It’s for everyone to play and enjoy. We need to reclaim it.”

Stuart had already been giving one-to-one lessons to 65-year-old Max.

With Stuart’s help Max has recorded a number of CDs of himself playing instruments and singing his favourite songs and even some of his own.

“I wanted to get a group going so that I can sing on stage!” says Max.

“I’ve been having lessons with Stuart for a while and I really enjoy them. I’ve got a good voice – I’ve got a flair for music.”

The members of the group have a range of abilities – some can’t actively participate but are still clearly having a good time, others have fun dressing up in costumes appropriate to the song – sunglasses, sea creature hats, etc – playing tambourines, bells, xylophones, guitars and banjos.

It’s obvious that everyone is enjoying themselves.

“If people didn’t want to come, they wouldn’t,” says Clive Burson-Thomas, a support worker from Eastleigh Community Link.

“It’s a really fun group – I enjoy it too.

“For some people the social side of things is as important as the music.”

Becca Proctor, also a support worker, adds that everyone can join in.

“It really is for any ability. It would be good for anyone to come along to a group like this. It’s great to have music sessions where is doesn’t matter if you can sing or play an instrument.

“It really brings out creativity in people.

It’s a good, safe space.”

One of the things that makes the group seem so enjoyable is that participants play a role in what happens in it.

The Birds and Butterflies song is being written as a group, with different people selecting specific instruments to play for it.

In a week or two they will have a go at recording it, to burn their first CD together.

This isn’t a series of static sessions – the music and the group as a whole are improving from week to week.

Stuart has enjoyed watching the group becoming closer over the weeks they have worked together.

“There was one person who wouldn’t sit in the circle when we started. Now they are taking part and shaking some maracas.

“One of the important things about music is that you can play it together. It creates a sense of teamwork and also helps people to develop lots of secondary skills.

“Everyone can enjoy it and take part, at any level.”

• Songbeat sessions for adults with learning disabilities are held on Fridays at 10.30am at the Pavilion on the Park, Eastleigh. Price £5 per session (carers free). For more information, call 023 8064 3978.