Falkirk-based club night for disabled moves online with Awakening at Home events

Awakening events were first held in Falkirk’s City Nightclub last year to appeal to young adults looking to enjoy a night out in a safe environment.

The popular monthly set-ups were so successful the organisers were able to hold an anniversary celebration in February.

However, the coronavirus outbreak put paid to their upcoming plans.

That left those behind the scenes with a decision to make and it was felt monthly virtual discos held via Facebook Live would fill the void for the time being.

Yet the popularity of these online hang-outs has since resulted in weekly sessions, with dozens of social media users joining the party from home.

Maureen Kilgour, Awakening team member, said: “We were going to do it once a month to reach out on a Friday night but they enjoyed it so much and were saying how they were missing each other so we thought it wouldn’t be a hardship to go on each week from 7-8pm.

“We started off with a colleague doing the disco in his kitchen then the singer Leona Rae did it last Friday and streamed it live from the page.

“This Friday it’s DJ Missy M and the following week it’s Highland Harmony then Dionne Hickey on April 24 and Miracles Disco on May 1.

“We’ve got a guy who is a deaf DJ who we are hoping is going to do a set.

“On the Forth Valley Disabilities Club Night page we’ve had about 60 people involved.

“It’s a way to chat and have a dance to prevent social isolation and loneliness.”

Maureen has also started up a Facebook Live disco on Tuesday nights from 7pm to 8pm on the Enable Falkirk Facebook page for those aged 18 and above.

Meanwhile, Awakening organisers have confirmed their plan to hold a national disability music festival in Falkirk in connection with the town’s Vibration Festival will go ahead at a later date once the postponed event has been rescheduled, possibly for late summer.

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