Get into the summer festival spirit online and help support a great cause
Live gigs and mass gatherings might still be off the cards this summer, but thankfully there are other ways of getting into the festival spirit. Glasto is far from the only event going digital – next weekend, Midlands-based charity Soundabout will be hosting a fantastic mix of live music online, too.
For 25 years Soundabout has been changing the lives of people with disabilities through the power of music. They have pioneered the use of music, rhythm and sound to give disabled children and adults a voice, a way to express themselves and be listened to.
Every year the charity hosts an outdoor fundraiser, but were sadly forced to cancel this year’s event. Ever resourceful, however, they decided to move the celebrations online to host Thomas’ Tea Party, an inclusive music festival streamed live on Facebook from 2pm-6.30pm on Sun 12 July.
Thomas’ Tea Party will feature a host of performers and special celebrity guests including BRIT award-winner Kate Nash and BAFTA winning actor Jessica Hynes. Audiences are encouraged to host their own socially distanced tea parties while they enjoy the performances at home.
The festival is completely free, but a suggested donation of £10 will help ensure that Soundabout is able to continue changing lives through music for another 25 years.
Jessica Hynes said: “I’m very happy to be supporting the Thomas’ Tea Party virtual inclusive music festival to raise awareness of Soundabout, an incredible charity that unlocks the potential of people with severe and profound and multiple learning disabilities, and their families, through music.
“Many of these families, whose lives are always extremely challenging, have been going through the toughest of times during lockdown, living in survival mode with their usual support structures stripped away. They deal with it in a way that I find admirable, strong, courageous and joyful and Soundabout’s online music sessions have helped to reduce their isolation and create a much-needed sense of belonging during this very difficult time.
Come and join the party on Facebook on the 12th July and help celebrate the 25th birthday of this brilliant organisation.”
Thomas’ Tea Party is held in memory of Thomas Hall, whose parents John and Sarah founded the charity in his memory. You can find out more about his story in the video below.
Donations made towards Thomas’ Tea Party will help to support a range of Soundabout projects, including one-to-one music sessions for individuals with profound and multiple disabilities, training sessions for teachers at SEN schools and the Soundabout Inclusive Choir which meets every month and enables individuals with disabilities and their families to come together to make music.
Thomas’ Tea Party will take place on Sun 12 July from 2pm – 6.30pm on SoundaboutUK’s Facebook page. To donate, please visit their Just Giving page. You can also join the conversation online using #ThomasTeaParty