My son Sam is 20yrs old and is severely autistic. He really struggles with communication and social interaction. He currently attends Music Transitions in Beverley - an outreach specialist music group created by Castaway Music Theatre Goole with support from The National Lottery - however, funding for these sessions ends in June 2023. The Beverley group needs to become self-funding to continue. This group supports young adults with Special Educational Needs, disabilities and Autistic Spectrum conditions.

Sam has always liked music and attending this weekly music group has made an immense difference to him. He has not only been given an opportunity to have fun and learn new skills he has really started to connect with others through a joint interest in music. He was very apprehensive at the start. Sam suffers with hyperacusis (some noises can cause pain). Sam has had sound therapy which has helped significantly with this problem; however, we always have ear defenders available for Sam to wear if needed. Sam has grown in confidence and with the support of the excellent team of professional staff leading the group. He was able to settle quite quickly and was able to trust the staff which is a major achievement for Sam. He now not only copes with attending the group and mixing with others. He really enjoys these sessions, in fact he will be heartbroken if it isn’t possible for these sessions to continue. He looks forward to attending the group.

This is a massive step forward for Sam who finds it so difficult to mix with others and who is otherwise really quite isolated. I think it is a combination of the excellent support of the staff who make the sessions really interactive and fun and the joint interest in music that has made such a difference to Sam. Sam has been able to mix and interact with others at the group and I actually think for the first time he has some friends which is so lovely to see. Sam has such a good ear for music, and I believe he is really quite talented and I want to encourage him with this new hobby. Everyone needs to have talent recognised. We all need to be appreciated and encouraged for the things we are good at. Without this support Sam will not reach his full potential and he is at risk of isolation and depression in the future, I am keen to avoid these problems for Sam by giving him the opportunity to interact with others and be a part of the community. The music group has done so much for Sam’s self-esteem and gives him and other youngsters like him the chance to shine. Please support our music group to continue and provide much needed support for Sam and the many other youngsters who currently attend.