Halloween party for people with disabilities at Word Up

The spooktacular shindig, held on 27 October, was the fourth social event The Richmond Fellowship Scotland (TRFS) have run in Inverclyde and the first since the pandemic started.

Over 70 people attended the party which gave individuals with Autism and learning disabilities the chance to experience a 'normal' night out, as many of them had never experienced going to a nightclub before.

Events like the Halloween party are few and far between in Inverclyde, but The Richmond Fellowship hopes that they can hold them more frequently now that pandemic restrictions are easing.

Stacey Gormley, one of the Complex Needs practitioners at the fellowship's Union Street offices, has been involved in organising the events since they first began three years ago.

She said: "It's really really good to be back - this began when supported individuals we worked with said they had no place to go to have the standard nightclub night out.

"I want to thank Word Up and all its staff for letting us use their facilities and helping us have a good night.

"We can take these things for granted, but it's important that supported individuals have the chance to do them in a space where they don't feel scrutinised."

For many of the attendees, the party was not just about making new friends but also about getting the chance to catch up with old ones that they'd been unable to see during the pandemic.

Steven Palmer, team manager at TRFS's Inverclyde Learning disability and Autism service, said the team were 'delighted' to be able to host events like this again.

He said: "I would like to thank Word Up nightclub for fully supporting our event and Party Perfection for their Halloween balloon displays and to everyone who donated raffle prizes.

"It’s been an extremely difficult year due to Covid-19 restrictions so it was amazing to see everyone dancing and having fun again with their friends, that’s what make the tough times over the last months worthwhile."