Charity Commission launches investigation into County Derry charity

The Charity Commission has ordered an investigation into a charity in County Derry.

The commission is looking into the administration and governance of Something Special which deals with young adults who have learning disabilities. Parents received a letter, saying that the charity was being wound up and replaced by a new group.

Based outside Eglinton, it was founded in 2007 and is attended by 30 people with learning disabilities. The centre uses music to aid learning and social interaction. Two letters recently received by parents and purporting to come from management appear to contradict each other.

The first letter, dated April 11, stated that Something Special was not closing but going through a process of transferring its activities from an “association” to an “academy.” The second letter was received on April 20 and it said that the charity was closing down and the new academy would be taking it over.

Robert Cooke’s daughter Louise, who is 23 and severely autistic, has been attending the group for the last five years.

“We’ve been left in the lurch,” said Mr Cooke. “For the past four weeks, Louise has been in the house with us with no schemes or anything to go to. She’s missing her friends now and she loves everybody that works in it. She’s been asking when she can go back.”

The charity has grown rapidly in recent years and, at one stage, had a craft shop in Eglinton selling products that had been made by the students.

Something Special has acknowledged that its main purposes are to provide education through music and performing art to people with learning disabilities and to provide recreational facilities for them. It advances education among young people and adults with learning disabilities. The organisation places huge emphasis on music and creativity as tools for learning and development.

Mary Lynch, whose son John attended the charity four times a week, has said that parents need answers. John has attended Something Special since 2007.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, Mary Lynch said: “There are 30 students with learning disabilities with no place to go. We just want somebody to talk to us. John is very distressed. Confusion creates anger and distress.”

The Charity Commission said it would not be commenting any further while the investigation continues.