22nd August 2022
Sanctuary Supported Living
Residents with learning disabilities in Chelmsford have celebrated 30 years of supported housing with a carnival-inspired, summer BBQ and the launch of their new, community music room.
Sanctuary Supported Living’s Nickleby Road was inspired to build the music room in memory of Project Worker, James Grant, who encouraged residents to express themselves through music and performance.
The award-winning supported living service, which provides support to adults with a range of learning disabilities to live as independently as possible, welcomed friends, family, and members of the community to enjoy the opening of the room with a live, steel pan show, from their very own residents – after months of practise with Steel Pan Trust, funded by Sanctuary’s Community Investment.
Resident Rhys, who added to the performance with his psaltery – a medieval stringed instrument – said: “It was an absolute honour to perform for everyone who attended our special open day. Especially the Sanctuary Supported Living staff- they’re great! Whenever we need their support, they’re always there.”
"The community music room offers music therapy to residents, as well as the wider Chelmsford learning disability community."
Area Service Manager, Sarah Cole, added: “It was wonderful to celebrate our 30-year anniversary and the official opening of our music room. We all need the opportunity to escape from life sometimes, and at Nickleby Road, we prefer to do it with a drumstick in hand! The community music room offers music therapy to residents, as well as the wider Chelmsford learning disability community, as we aim to tackle social isolation and promote inclusion. The room, inspired by James, helps his memory to live on - through music the people we support will gain additional confidence and social skills while we work with them on their pathway for independence.”
Other activities to mark the occasion included a circus workshop, and a raffle to help raise money for local charities.
