Livewire Rock Academy are appealing for a sponsor for two of their students who have had their disability allowance cut by the DWP.
Michael and Catalina Peters of Bishop’s Stortford have learning difficulties and disabilities that mean they are unable to cope with certain aspects of day to day life.
Playing music has helped them overcome some of those difficulties, in particular with coordination and concentration.
Late last year Michael had to attend a review with the Conservative government’s controversial Department of Work and Pensions, and their assessment meant that Michael had some of his benefits cut, and his music lessons had to be stopped.
Michael and Catalina’s mother is devasted.
“They love their music lessons, but Catalina won’t go without Michael and Michael has now had his funding cut by a ridiculously simplified process that judged him able to do things that he simply can’t do. It seems so unfair that he should be penalized as a disabled person, and something that he loves and is beneficial to him taken away”
Simon Baker, the rock academy’s director has taken up their cause.
“It’s tragic that something so good for Michael is being taken away from him. Michael and Catalina’s lessons cost £200 a month – not a huge amount of money for some but a lot for his family to find. I’m reaching out to the business community in Bishop’s Stortford to see if anyone would like to sponsor these students in return for having their logos on our website and in our weekly mailouts, as well as a presence at our bi-annual charity concerts.
If anyone would be interested in helping Michael and Catalina, please contact me on 07941 142779 or email [email protected]
