Taking Part image (2022)Heart n Soul
Hello! We often start the day with a 'Cheryl moment'. Why not join in? Just close your eyes, breathe and listen to the audio.
Kali has her face painted at Allsorts (2016)Heart n Soul
We believe in the power and talents of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. It's important that the rest of the world do as well - our mission is to make that happen. Our vision is everyone living full and equal lives, with independence, freedom and pride.
Big 30 artwork poster (2017)Heart n Soul
Heart n Soul started out as a group of friends who all went to the Mulberry Day Centre in New Cross. They started making their own music and formed a performance company in 1986, named 'Heart n Soul' after one of the songs they had written.
Never Bored Residency 5 (2017) by Aysen AktuHeart n Soul
Create, Connect, Change
Since then it has continued to grow and develop, taking on more artists, bigger projects and making change. People with learning disabilities and autistic people are involved in every part of our work. So, what do we do?
Music
Music is at the heart of what we do. We work with a range of talented artists to produce original music. They create EPs, albums, music videos, merchandise and more.
Samuel Jegede at Never Bored (2017)Heart n Soul
Visual Art
Our artists create dynamic and exciting work reflecting their viewpoint of the world. Their work has been exhibited at a range of art institutions including Tate Britain, Tate Modern, British Museum, Wellcome Collection, Southbank Centre and South London Gallery.
Allsorts photography project 2 (2015)Heart n Soul
Taking Part
We run high quality creative arts activities for people with learning disabilities and autistic people where they can create art and meet new friends in safe, sociable spaces.
Sam Castell-Ward performing on stage (2018)Heart n Soul
Club Nights
We created The Beautiful Octopus Club in 1995, the UK’s first club night created by and for people with learning disabilities where everyone is welcome. The Squidz Club for young people was set up shortly afterwards. Both are still going strong.
Live
Our artists love to perform live and share their music with audiences. Highlights have included shows at Glastonbury, South By Southwest, the Lincoln Center, plus numerous performances across the UK, Europe and Asia.
Radio at Heart n Soul (2019)Heart n Soul
Heart n Soul Radio
Heart n Soul Radio is a space for people with learning disabilities and autistic people to share their thoughts, personalities and ideas. Their shows look at the world from their unique point of view.
Ariel Dunno T Shirt design (2021)Heart n Soul
Heart n Soul Shop
Our artists produce unique products for the Heart n Soul shop. It’s a place for us to share their creativity.
Believe in Us project (2022)Heart n Soul
Change-making projects
We collaborate with innovative organisations to make a change in the world. Projects include Heart n Soul at the Hub with Wellcome Trust and Believe In Us supported by the Health Foundation.
The change we want to see
Our goal is that society will have greater understanding of what people with learning disabilities and autistic people can do, and what they offer everyone.
Discover more here.
