Singing stars from Hackney made their debut last week (Wednesday, 27th January) as the inspirational Sanctuary in Music project arrived in Hackney.

The project, funded by leading UK housing provider Sanctuary Group, is giving people of all ages from across the borough the opportunity to develop their singing talents, build their confidence and improve self-esteem over a series of 26 sessions.

As well as bringing residents from Hackney together, the project also equips them with the skills to take control of their futures and lead them into possible employment within the entertainments industry.

Last Wednesday’s event was the opening night of the project and saw 11 residents, aged from nine through to 76 years, sing for the first time before family, friends and project leader and mentor, Johnny Pat.

Participants from the course now have four weeks before their first assessment where they will perform three songs live to a panel of judges who will grade them on appearance, content and ability.

Sanctuary’s course is proving to be a success nationwide – the Hackney course is the fifth to be rolled out by the association and is being rolled out to other parts of the country.

Sanctuary resident Johnny, 67, has plied his trade as front man for Johnny Pat and the Aces for the past 50 years and is passionate about getting residents up on stage to build their confidence. The project helps individuals build their confidence and self-esteem but it also provides valuable skills for life including giving them the ability to face job interviews.

His work on the project and positive impact it has achieved has been recognised nationally; Johnny has been shortlisted for a number of awards in 2009 including Inside Housing’s Inspirational Tenant of the Year accolade and UK Housing’s Inspirational Colleague award.

The Sanctuary in Music Project was also shortlisted for the National Housing Federation’s ‘What we are proud of’ award – Yorkshire and Humberside region, which celebrates housing association run-projects that have improved the lives of people in their community.