“The reason I decided to do the discos was because, after having a dialogue with the people that I support with mental health and learning disabilities, they stated that they would like to go out and have a good time in a reputable venue, instead of a dingy youth club,” says Vanessa Chase, who is facilitating a Fancy Dress 70s & 80s’ Disco Night on Tuesday 26 November  at the Hootananny in Brixton, 6-11pm.

Vanessa, a Mental Health Night Support Worker with IPSA (Integrated Personalised Support Alliance) facilitated two discos in the venue in 2014 and “it went down a blast”.

“Dancing is extremely therapeutic and a beautiful way to express yourself,” she says. “Bob Marley’s quote resonates with me, ‘One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain’.

“As I used to work in the Hootananny, I approached them with my proposition, and they were more than happy to support me. The rest is history, as they say.”

Abbeville’s Restaurant (First Step Trust – http://firststeptrust.org.uk/abbevilles-2/) will be preparing and serving food on the night and Brixton Soup Kitchen, Brixton Street Gym, Black Thrive and Certitude are helping to promote the event, “as they all support people with mental health in their own amazing way.”

Karen Hooper