Disability-friendly nightclub event marks sixth birthday in Southend-on-Sea

A club event where people with disabilities party into the night has marked its sixth birthday.

Freedom, held at Popworld, in Southend-on-Sea, has become revellers' "whole world", founder Kathy Denton said.

It was set-up after a child Ms Denton knew was "ridiculed" when they went on a night out for the first time.

Now a regular event, a 200-strong crowd of people hit the club and get on the dancefloor every Wednesday night.

"They can be who they are without people looking at them strangely or commenting," Ms Denton, who founded Freedom with her partner Paul Griffin, said.

"They will have a drink and behave as every young person should on a night out, because why shouldn't they have that?"

The event, which runs until 22:00 GMT, catered for those aged 18 and over and has a full bar, wheelchair accessibility and its own merchandise range.

Ms Denton said throughout the week, she uploaded pictures from nights out to Freedom's Facebook page, and planned different party themes.

The event was so popularity that some of the more hardcore party-goers have even cancelled holidays to ensure they could get their fix.

"It is their whole world; it gives them something to focus on for the week," the founder continued.

"It is amazing seeing their faces, seeing people come into the club for the first time and won't speak, won't order a drink to now making eye contact and ordering their own drinks.

"We've created a little community. We love Wednesday nights - we build up to them."

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