A LOVING sister has organised club nights for disabled people in a bid to help more people like her brother feel included.

Hollie Brown, 30, from Wickford, organised the first Difinity Club Night in July last year after her brother, Luke Weeks, who has Down’s Syndrome, showed an interest in having somewhere to go to dance and still feel comfortable.

She jumped at the chance to help the 24-year-old, from Ramsden Heath, as well as those in a similar position with any disability, who might feel the same way.

She said: “So many guests have said they feel their disability is seen to define them, so Difinity is about allowing them to come allow and show what truly defines them.

“My brother is obsessed with dancing, but he’s never had that place socially where he can go to dance and be himself.

“I ran my ideas by Luke, asked what he’d like to see and tried my best to make it come to life.”

Difinity club nights are held on the third or fourth Wednesday of every month at Reids, in Billericay, where Hollie works.

The main bar is turned into a nightclub, the in-house DJ plays music, and a bar menu runs throughout the evening.

Hollie added: “A few of our guests have autism, where too much noise can just be too overwhelming. Using the main bar as the nightclub space allows us to use the rest of the venue as somewhere they can go if need a quieter area to get away if they need to.

“We also keep the lighting normal and we try our best to cater to everyone. If I know in advance, then I’ll do whatever I can to make the event as accessible as possible.

“This event is so close to my heart and so personal to me. I’ve worked in the industry since I was 13, so I’m very passionate about this.

“I’ve seen in a short time what a difference it can make to the guests and the feedback from carers and parents keeps me pushing for this event to work. If I can just make the tiniest difference then I’m willing to keep trying.”

Disabled people aged 14 and over are invited to the events, where theme nights are hosted every so often. These events have previously included an end of summer party, a Halloween event and a masquerade ball.

The next themed event will be for Easter on Wednesday. Guests will take part in an Easter egg hunt around the club and will have the chance to make a cocktail which will be added to the menu.

Difinity is a non-profit event, with every penny made going towards the DJ, decor and and future events.

Hollie added: “It’s all about getting them involved. Luke is a twin, and when we held their joint birthday, we managed to get a Robbie Williams tribute to come along, because they love him! For me it’s not about the money it’s about allowing a little more sense of freedom and acceptance.”