Under The Stars

Just one week to go to until the Under the Stars Nightclub! It's time to polish off those dancing shoes🕺!

Don't forget you can go straight to the front of the queue if you buy your tickets in advance here https://bit.ly/3XfRT4W

A photo of Sparkle Sistaz from their trip to Make Noise Studios , where they had an amazing time recording their new song Summertime. The track will be released on the Under the Stars record label on Bandcamp in the very near future!! - we're looking forward to it ladies!

This Wednesday, Thursday and Friday two of our favourite people at Under the Stars are appearing on Pointless! Tune into BBC1 at 5.15pm to see our Music Workshop leader Chris and his wonderful son Che in action...... they won't even tell us if they won!

One of the challenges of making an immersive piece of work is not having an audience in the rehearsal room with us. Our actors not only have to play their own parts, but also step into the role of participant so we can practise the interactive sections of the show. There was lots of switching roles in this session so that everyone gets a chance to have a go at leading the activities.

Can you believe its just two weeks until our next fantastic nightclub event?
We can't wait to see you all!

Give us a 👍 in the comments if you are joining us on the dance floor!

Buy your tickets here and go straight to the front of the queue! : https://bit.ly/3T9goQl

The drama group have been busily making props for our folk tales play. They have been working with Cole on shadow puppetry, creating unique puppets for our film.

Our fourth post sharing feedback from our recent stakeholder survey. We asked "Why does Under the Stars exist?" and here are some of the answers:

"To give people with additional needs the same chances as everyone else to experience drama and to increase their confidence."
"To give creative meaning to people who participate and widen the cultural understanding of those with disabilities."
"To give everyone a chance to shine."
"To help people discover their true potential, and through that help build self-confidence and self-worth."
"[to treat] adults with autism and / or learning disabilities as adults and providing a fun and safe experience without patronising them."

Why do you think Under the Stars exists?

Part three of the feedback from our recent stakeholder survey, this time: How does Under the Stars may you or the person you support feel? Here are some of the answers:

"Absolutely wonderful. My son and I get excited as the dates of plays get nearer."
"Makes them feel independent going out on their own to a safe and welcoming environment"
"I'm proud to be associated with such an impactful and genuine organisation. I often feel like we're on the cutting edge or redefining just what 'Adult Social Care' can really be."
"His confidence has grown, and he loves each member of staff who make him feel very welcome and included"
"Feels included with trying things that he hadn't done and now can... its amazing"

These were such lovely comments to receive, thank you very much!

This is the final in our series of posts sharing the feedback we received from a recent stakeholder survey. These are some final comments we picked from throughout the survey.

"I am so glad I joined Under the Stars and am very proud to pop on the t-shirt and help out whenever I can. The team are incredible."
"Under the Stars is a unique and very popular service which young people love to attend. I hope the service continues for years to come."
"This is a service that is much appreciated and enjoyed by the participants and their families and carers."
"Thank you, it's an amazing group with very special people whom I can trust to keep my son safe, engaged, and happy."
"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

We have been truly moved by the heart-warming responses we have received. Thank you to everyone who took part in the survey or who has replied on here to let us know what they think. We are all very proud to be part of Under the Stars.

We wanted to start the week with sending a MASSIVE thank you to the wonderful folks at Aspire Community Enterprise Sheffield this week. They very kindly chose us as their Charity of the Year for 2024, and it has been a godsend. We refurbished our office this month (long overdue), and Aspire have gifted us new computers for everyone, as well as helped us replace laptops, printers and mobile phones across the year. It seems like nothing has been too much trouble and we couldn't be more grateful. Dave and all the guys at Aspire THANK YOU. you are all legends! Check out all the wonderful work they do here https://shorturl.at/bjVT3

Continuing the feedback from our stakeholders’ survey, respondents were asked “What’s different for you or the person you support, since you/ they’ve been coming to Under the Stars? Have you/ they learnt new skills, had new experiences?”, here’s what they said:

“Gained confidence by being part of a band & being a DJ in The Leadmill.”

“My Son has grown in confidence from having the opportunity to act in plays. Also, his social skills have improved.”

“It’s allowed me to try new experiences and allows participants to develop the confidence and creative ability.”

“She has grown in confidence, is more articulate, takes an active part in planning performances, is happy and enthusiastic, and feels respected.”

Please let us know about the skills and experiences you, or the person you support, have gained from Under the Stars.

Our Friday drama group used some found and recycled materials to create these beautiful lanterns. They will be used in their upcoming show "Free Spirits" to create a 'Pathway of Light'. The audience will be invited to design their own as part of the performance too. Keep your eyes peeeled for more info about performance dates and how to book 🍃

We recently sent a survey to our stakeholders, the feedback was so lovely we had to share. Over the next couple of weeks we'll be posting some of the questions and replies. First up - What's the best thing about Under the Stars, for you personally?

"The kindness of people"
"The way every client's potential is recognised and nurtured"
"The visible impact of seeing vulnerable and marginalised people feeling included, valued, and empowered"
"I love practicing my DJ skills and being involved in a music band"
"The feeling of togetherness and creativity"

What do you think? Let us know what you think the best thing about Under the Stars is

The Sparkle Sistaz were thrilled to bits to meet Lord Mayor Jayne Dunn yesterday, who stayed and danced to their entire set after she had introduced them. Thanks so much for your support! There's no party like an Under The Stars party :)

1PM TODAY DEV GREEN!! DONT MISS EM :)

The Sparkle Sistaz running through their Tramlines DJ set for Sunday on the Devonshire Green stage. Wall to Wall BANGERS! Don't miss them at 1pm - 2pm

Wednesday Drama Group went on a trip to Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet in preparation for their latest film project. Our talented actors had a great time exploring different areas of the hamlet and came away with plenty of inspiration.

The Sparkle Sistaz running through their Tramlines DJ set for Sunday on the Devonshire Green stage. Wall to Wall BANGERS! Don't miss them at 1pm - 2pm

A flashback to The Stars band backstage at Tramlines 2021. This Saturday they will perform again at 2.15pm on Saturday on The Open Arms Stage. The performance time has changed to later as they deserve a bigger audience - help us make it happen! Come along and bring your mates!

Not got a ticket to Hillsborough arena to see The Stars band do their thing? Worry not! Get yourself down to Devonshire Green for The Fringe event on Sunday 28 July where our fabulous Sparkle Sistaz will be cooking up a storm with their group DJ set at 1pm!

Closing tomorrow!

Today is your last chance to submit your application to join the Under the Stars Team as our new Programme Administrator!

You can find out more and download the application pack here: https://bit.ly/3KSREqV

Our Thursday dance and drama group will be taking part in Chance to Dance festival on Saturday 6th July. They will be performing some of the dances they've created over the past few months and also teaching some of their moves to the audience. Come and see us in The Winter Gardens at 2.30pm and learn how we use exaggerated or expanded Makaton signs in our choreography to highlight the lyrics or themes of the music.

We're getting excited for tonight's Under the Stars Nightclub at The Leadmill

Give us a wave if you'll be joining us on the dancefloor 🖐️

In case you missed it, we have a fantastic opportunity to become part of our fun and friendly team!

We seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated Programme Administrator to join us. If you can find out more and download the application pack here: https://bit.ly/45tpZGz

Here's Nathan from The Clubland Detectives again, this time recording Ashley’s Cornet for a lovely new blues track which will also be released on our Under the Stars record label, on Bandcamp once it's ready. We can't wait to hear it!

Whilst you're waiting, why not check our some of our other amazing artists: https://bit.ly/4erqVzf

The Unit 1 Collective are a group of musicians from Sheffield who want to make your day better with live electronic music. Influenced by techno, house and hip hop sounds. Their experimental music is improvised using hardware instruments, loopers and live vocals.

Check out the debut E.P ‘World Of Illusion’ the Under The Stars record label, on Bandcamp: https://bit.ly/3VvL4LZ

Watch this space for their new music video and more Under the Stars music releases coming soon!

Just one week to go now to the Under the Stars Nightclub!

Don't forget, you can beat the queue and get your tickets online here: https://bit.ly/4enAK1b

We can't wait for you to join us on the The Leadmill dance floor!

Would you like to join our fantastic team here at Under the Stars?

We are looking for a positive, driven, and motivated individual to be part of our busy team as Programme Administrator!

To find out more and download an application pack, click here: https://bit.ly/4ev5a1j

It's and this year the theme is "Do you see me?". At Under the Stars we are passionate about supporting people with learning disabilities to learn new skills and to have opportunities to be seen and heard in places that people with disabilities are often under represented and undervalued. Our Under the Stars crew DJ at our nightclubs at The Leadmill perform their original plays at Sheffield Theatres and play regular gigs at Yellow Arch Studios The Greystones, Sheffield and Tramlines festival!

This is Nathan recording Ken’s vocals for their next EP. We can't wait to hear it when it's finished. We'll be sharing it with you through our Under The Stars record label, on Bandcamp: https://bit.ly/4eiSL0w