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'Neurodiverse music group saved me' - Billy Lockett

Sam Read
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Reporting fromNorthampton
Sam Read/BBC A head and shoulders shot of Billy Lockett standing and smiling at the camera. He is wearing a yellow t-shirt under a demin jacket. He is standing inside a community centre with the background blurred.Sam Read/BBC
Billy is proud of his links with his hometown of Northampton

A singer-songwriter said helping at a group for people with learning disabilities "saved" him.

For several months, Billy Lockett has been going to sessions for adults who live with neurodiverse conditions like autism or ADHD in his home town of Northampton.

The artist, who appeared on television talent show The Voice in 2024, organised for musical instruments to be donated to the JH & Oarpel programme.

Lockett, 32, said when he first attended the group he was "at a low point" in his life, but meeting people there "saved" him and he may have made "friends for life".

Sam Read/BBC Billy Lockett is kneeling down with a member of a community support group putting a drum kit together. Billy is wearing a yellow t-shirt and looking at a big drum while a man in purple shirt with a dark waistcoat and tie makes an adjustment to the drum. Behind them is a pool table and a rack of pool cues on the wall. Also on the wall is a series of drawings.Sam Read/BBC
Billy Lockett helped set up new musical equipment donated by sponsors

The JH and Oarpel sessions run several times a week in a hut in Abington Park and allow participants to socialise through activities such as cooking, woodwork or Friday music time.

Lockett has been attending when not on tour and arranged for sponsors to donate guitars, drums and a keyboard to the group.

Sam Read/BBC A head and shoulders shot of Ben Greener who is smiling and looking at the camera. He is wearing a collared t-shirt and a blue jumper. He is standing in a kitchen with the background out of focus.Sam Read/BBC
Ben Greener lives at home with his parents and attends the sessions which run several times a week

Ben Greener, 36, from Northampton attends the sessions and described Lockett as "an absolute star, he is really inspirational. I thank him for everything he's done, he is amazing".

The programme is run by two community support businesses with fees paid via money from local authority care packages.

Currently only men attend, but women are welcome.

Sam Read/BBC Clients of the JH and Oarpel group are lined up with group leaders outside a brown hut posing for a photo. They are all looking at the camera, casually dressed. In the centre of them is the singer Billy Lockett. Some of them have their arms around each other. Sam Read/BBC
Members of the JH & Oarpel group meet in Abington Park

Ray Hales, from Oarpel Community Support, who co-organises the sessions, said the group allowed clients to build social skills and make new friends.

He said before becoming involved, some clients would spend all their time at home.

"We can help them to lead a full life," he added.

Josh Hendrickson, from JH Community Support, described the donation of equipment as "absolutely incredible".

He said music had a "heavy influence" with clients and the sessions were a reminder "it is so important to carry on doing your hobbies and interests because life can get in the way".

GAVIN WALLACE PHOTOGRAPHY Billy Lockett is sitting at a piano at the front of the picture on a stage looking out at an audience. The piano is covered in flowers and candles. Also on the stage is a guitarist and two singers. The room is largely dark and in front of the stage a large crowd is watching, the majority holding up a mobile phone with the torch on, creating a sea of lights.GAVIN WALLACE PHOTOGRAPHY
Billy Lockett's recent tour included a performance at Union Chapel in London

Lockett has recently completed a headline UK tour and is due to support Jamie Cullum on a number of European dates.

He said after 12 years of performing his career has "exploded in the last six months".

"One of the main reasons...is because of having Northampton behind me", he said, describing the local support as "crazy" and "overwhelming".

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