Heart n Soul's Sandra Reynolds caught up with the BRIT Trust Diaries to discuss the organisation's work, which draws on the power of music and the creative arts to help support those with learning disabilities and autistic people. Check out the full article here. 

We believe in the power and talents of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. We work together to make great art with imagination, love and trust. Everyone is valued, and leadership is shared, plus we have a lot of fun!

Heart N Soul started in 1986. Musician Mark Williams, now our artistic director and chief executive, wanted to explore new ways of music-making and using art to make a difference. He started running creative sessions with a group of people with learning disabilities, including co-founder Pino Frumiento, who went to a local day service in Lewisham, South East London. After they moved to The Albany, they re-named themselves Heart N Soul after one of Pino’s first original songs. The group started creating original shows, stories and music. They toured across the UK and Europe attracting interest within the arts and disability worlds.

At Heart N Soul we offer a place for people to create, connect and help to lead change. We ensure that people with learning disabilities and autistic people are involved in every area of our work, including co-producing our programmes of work.

Everyone is encouraged to make music and art in the way they want. Our key project for young people is Do Your Own Thing, where young people can take part in music, art, radio, DJ-ing and video. Do Your Own Thing have also been involved in a range of exciting collaborations, including working with Tate Modern, South London Gallery, The White Pube and the London Symphony Orchestra. The project helps to boost young people’s confidence, and wellbeing and independence, and many of the group have gone on to establish careers in the arts... Read More