<p>I am running the 2012 London Marathon&nbsp;on April 22nd&nbsp;and am raising money to donate to The Camden Society.&nbsp; More details on their work is available via their own justgiving page - see link...</p> <p>I am specifically&nbsp;contributing to the development of their work with people with learning difficulties using music...</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Community Music at the Camden Society</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Camden Society was founded in 1965 to campaign for the rights of people with learning disabilities to live fulfilling and independent lives in the community. We now support over 600 people a week across London and beyond, to manage their homes and everyday tasks, we provide a range of training courses in catering, retail and administration, we help people to find work and encourage them to enjoy a range of recreational activities. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Music is an important medium of communication and self-expression for many of our service users, whether it is the opportunity to relax while listening to music at one of our evening clubs, write and produce music as part of a band, or engage in a structured session with one our professional support workers. Music is particularly beneficial for people with complex needs and challenging behaviour as it helps build trusting relationships, diffuses tension, helps people to relax and provides a sense of achievement. Two people who we support who are autistic could not tolerate being in the same room as each other, but working with them through music has helped their social interaction and they are now happy to play instruments alongside each other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Money raised will enable us to offer more music sessions to people with learning disabilities who use our day services in Tower Hamlets, Southwark and Camden, and to include music making<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>opportunities at The Great Escape, a summer holiday we organise for our service users every year. </span></span></p> <p> <p>I am looking to raise &pound;1,500 and will update this page as the date of the marathon approaches...</p> <p>Thanks and dig deep</p> <p>Tom</p> </p>