AN IPSWICH nightclub is holding a monthly disco for people with special needs, the Evening Star can today reveal. Believed to be the only night of its kind in the region, the club night-entitled 'Bucks Fizz'-is held on the last Wednesday of the month at Betty's nightclub on the Cornhill in Ipswich.
AN IPSWICH nightclub is holding a monthly disco for people with special needs, the Evening Star can today reveal.
Believed to be the only night of its kind in the region, the club night-entitled 'Bucks Fizz'-is held on the last Wednesday of the month at Betty's nightclub on the Cornhill in Ipswich.
Bucks Fizz promoter and manager Kevin Francis said: “There are no groups or activities, we hold purely a normal club night for people with special needs to come and socialise and dance and meet people.
Mr Francis, 25, said the event which has been running for two months, is already proving popular.
He added: “More than a hundred turned up at the last event which was really positive. We started the evening due to the lack of services for people with special needs in the area and more importantly the lack of sociable events.
“I don't know of any other club night for people with special needs where they can go to and let their hair down without having to do activities or take part in groups, or be stared at.”
Carers are not provided, so clubbers are asked to bring their own carers if necessary.
Mr Francis, who is also student nurse, said: “We make no profit from the door money as this all gets put back into the night for special events and any costs.
“We only charge £1.50 for people to get in but carers get in free, all the staff work voluntarily and we have reduced the cost of soft drinks.
“I've worked with people with special needs for a number of years and while there are venues for people with learning difficulties around the town they often involve some sort of activity.
“Until now there was no where for people just to go and be sociable. We feel we have built up a really good relationship with the care providers and other services in the community and this can only benefit the customers.”
The next Bucks Fizz event takes place on August 30. For more information contact Kevin on 07854056669.
What do you think of this event? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here