By Nicole Georgiou
Project 21
They are a charity supporting young adults with Down’s Syndrome to help provide them opportunities and give them a space to be themselves amongst friends while doing what they love.
Working with project 21 has opened my eyes to a world I didn’t know much about prior to making this film with them. Meeting Andreas and following him on his first day of work to discover that most people who have Down’s Syndrome will never be given an opportunity to work a day in their life. Or speaking to Martha and Edward and seeing their heartbreak about being turned away from performing arts modules, because they haven’t gotten a certain qualification in Maths (despite them having just put on an incredible performance of Moulin Rouge with project21).
Down’s Syndrome is considered to be a disability but the abilities are completely overlooked by a lot of places in society and is something that needs to change. The value, dedication and love that each and every person I have met within this project is something that every business, education facility and persons should have the privilege of having in their lives.
I can’t write this without the mention of Alex Munn who started without any relation to anyone with Down’s Syndrome, but met Alfie who changed her world and drove her to bring project 21 to life and is continuing to fight for the opportunities that every single person there deserves every day.
They are an incredible group of people doing brilliant things and on world Down’s Syndrome day especially we want to celebrate that.
I also want to thank Julia Pyke and Marjorie Barnes for making this film possible.
By Nicole Georgiou
