In January 1999 a club was formed by founding member John Kingdon; He called it Harmony, it was hoped that it would attract people from across the class, colour, ability, age and any other divide.
Our vision for harmony is to break down barriers between groups of people, to seek to join together to create a truly inclusive community based project, regardless of class, age, sex, race, creed, ability and lifestyle. We want to improve communication, tolerance and understanding between people.
- Through Harmony we offer the young and the not so young, opportunities to express themselves through creativity, to discover talents and develop skills which in turn will enable them to grow in confidence.
- Through Harmony we learn to work with, respect and understand others from within our own culture, from different walks of life and those with different abilities.
- Through Harmony families are learning and playing together, enjoying leisure time that enhances family life, that in turn gives a better understanding for each other. We encourage fully true family values.
There are so many opportunities open to young people today and it would appear that they have the world at their feet and the choice to follow the path of their dreams. However, in reality we know in most cases that these choices are only open to those with the ability to pay, and those that have the support network around them to be able to sustain their commitment.
Lets not forget the others in the community that want to do things together and be fully integrated, the not so young able bodied, the disabled, the hard of hearing, the sight impaired and special needs. Why can't they follow their dreams as well, together? Perhaps its because there has been nowhere up until now for them to go to create and be together. If you separate all the abilities, there is in most cases is a place somewhere, if one can afford the fees. What about a parent who wants to share in something that a child with special needs or any other child is doing or longs to do? Does it have to be, sorry there is no place for them to be together, because there is only the support network for one or the other?
How much talent are we wasting? How much resentment? How much despair and hopelessness is society generating in people who can see others enjoying these choices, but have no way of accessing them for themselves? Harmony is giving the opportunity to anyone who desires it, we charge a minimal amount to belong and even if that amount proves difficult to find, we will make exceptions.
We have found an abundance of talent within our members and have encouraged them to try things they would otherwise have not tried.
On offer at Harmony: Singing, dancing, music making, gymnastics and acrobatic dancing, building scenery and props, lighting and sound techniques, anything to do with stage craft—we display these new found skills and talents in regular shows for the public, there is always one main show at a local theatre, with many smaller shows given mainly to help other charities and organisations to raise funds. Part of our ethos is to teach our members to give back into society by using their new found talents
We have now finished some of the work on our own Performing Arts School. This centre will bring back to the community some of the steadfast ways of sharing and caring. It requires a tremendous amount of physical work, but the team are keen to show how working together can overcome obstacles and demonstrate how teamwork can bring people together.
We teach afternoon after school groups at local mainstream schools, as well as our regular evening sessions on school premises. In the afternoon lessons we are encouraging and nurturing talents in the very young.
We have to date been extremely successful and many have gone on to join the evening lessons Harmony supply's, when they were ready. This includes our higher graded classes; there are some as young as seven that are participating in the Harmony advanced lessons—from there—who knows? We have had many successes, some of our members have gone on to have professional careers. Others have grown in self-confidence and self esteem which will enable them to reach beyond the boundaries of their perceived station in life to fulfil their wildest dreams. Above all everyone is enjoying themselves and having a good time whilst learning, "together".
In 2004 the Harmony group won the Queens Golden Jubilee Award ,for its work in after school activities.
Harmony cannot change the world, however it can make a lot of difference to a lot of people. Harmony is one answer. Let us work together accepting the differences, sharing the difficulties, so that all our lives are enhanced with a better understanding of each other.
John A Kingdon