WATCH: Shine & Sign youngsters deliver heart-warming VE Day performance
A Makaton choir have marked VE Day by putting together a heartwarming video of the Vera Lynn classic We’ll Meet Again.
The Shine & Sign choir, which was set up by Staffordshire-based charity Liberty for vulnerable young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND) to communicate their love of music, has been rehearsing via the video conferencing service Zoom.
The choir has proved to be invaluable for some of its members who have difficulties speaking and communicating. Makaton is a special language programme which uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate.
Their confidence and their communication has grown to a level where, before lockdown, they were performing in schools, youth groups and teaching others.
They have now come together to perform forces' sweetheart Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again, which has taken on a particular poignancy with people stuck inside during lockdown.
Watch their heart-warming video here:
Liberty's co-director Maggi Huckfield said: “We are so proud of the choir and staff member Abbie who set the group up, it shows how music and effective youth work can offer some of the most vulnerable young people a sense of pride and achievement.”
Since lockdown, the charity has adapted its services and set up online youth club and sporting sessions, yoga as well as many other services for its members, with many operating seven days a week.
Holly Finch, aged 26, from Rugeley, a member of the Shine & Sign choir, revealed how Liberty had transformed her life. She suffers from the rare Williams Syndrome which means she has heart problems, learning difficulties and mobility issues.
“The services that Liberty provide me are a lifeline,” she said. “Before I discovered Liberty I was very isolated and didn’t have many friends.
“Youth services for people like me had ended due to cuts in government funding and I found myself at home spending all my time with my mum .
“When I found out about Liberty it really changed my life. I made friends and I was able to enjoy things. I am a member of the Makaton choir and we’ve performed in schools.
Founder Maggi Huckfield started Liberty in 2015.
She said: “The aim of Liberty is to really integrate young people and adults into society and ensure they are happy, enjoy learning and are able to be active within their community.
“Many of our members were quite isolated before they joined us, like Holly, and we were able to bring them into our Liberty family and really help them to develop and grow.
“Taking this vital service away from them will drive them back to how they were before we started and that is not what we want for them, or they want for themselves.
“We are here to develop and support young people and adults with SEND and also for those with mental ill health to enjoy great learning and participate fully within society.”
Follow Liberty on Facebook @libertystaffordshire or visit libertystaffordshire.co.uk
