The plug has been pulled on a disabled young people’s music project after its funding ran out.
The band, called Bam Jam, consists of young people up to the age of 25 with a range of physical and mental disabilities and is supported by professional musicians from the charity Kimnara Music.
Donations from Youth Hackney had funded the band since September but the money has now run out. On top of this, Kimnara Music was recently invited to apply for funding by the charity Help a Capital Child, but was unsuccessful despite the invitation. The Bam Jam band now faces a period of inaction until more funding can be secured.
Tina Pinder, Kimnara Music administrator, said: “It’s been difficult recently because we thought we’d get some funding but we didn’t. So that’s done us in.
“This project was funded by Young Hackney’s Youth Opportunity Fund and they’ve been brilliant, so I’m hoping they’re going to help us out again next year.”
The Bam Jam band played its last show for the foreseeable future at the Huddleston Centre on Powell Road last Friday. Their set consisted of self-written songs and was received well by an energetic audience.
Cassandra Delisser, from the Huddleston Centre, said: “The lyrics come from the young people. So they’ll be writing their songs and they’ll say how they want the song to sound and they’re learning instruments as well.
“[Cancelling sessions is] taking a bit of a chance with young people because they’re expecting things to happen and if you’re letting them down it affects them and it affects their behaviour.”
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Kimnara Music has been working with the Huddleston Centre for around three years, running the current band since September. During that time they have played shows across the country and even sent a demo tape to Columbia Records.
Steve Fisher, who also works for Kimnara Music, said: “It’s the youngsters we feel bad for; it will be a real knock for them. It occupies far more than just the one evening.”
