Learning Disability Week at QAC: IP Clients

As Learning Disability Week 2025 comes to an end, we want to shine a light on two of our amazing Independence Plus clients Tyrone W. and Julio G.

Tyrone W.
Tyrone W. lives in Independence Plus with four housemates. During his days in Independence Plus he is supported in his daily living by being assisted in carrying out household tasks such as cleaning, shopping and cooking.  

Tyrone is an avid athlete and is a member of Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club. Over the years, he has competed locally, nationally and internationally in his sports and has won many gold, silver and bronze medals for his efforts in shotput, javelin and discus. Tyrone enjoys going to local theatres to watch shows and concerts and is also a performing artist himself, having been in paid employment with Spectra Arts Company for over 5 years, delivering workshops in schools and acting in and directing shows and short films.  

He has performed in various Spectra Arts interactive and multi-sensory productions, such as "Pollination," "Eat The Stars," and "Woods for The Trees,". In 2021, he worked on a short film with Spectra Arts Company called "Passing Time" which premiered as part of the Birmingham International Dance Festival. 

It was through his work with Spectra that he was introduced to “Fabric” (previously “Dance Xchange”) and began to volunteer with them to assist in providing youth dance workshops at Birmingham Hippodrome alongside their staff team - most recently, in April 2025, he provided support to the dancers rehearsing for a U.Dance performance at the Hippodrome. 

Julio G. 
Julio G. is also a resident of Independance Plus. In his spare time, he loves to take trips to the cinema, go with his housemates to concerts locally, sing, dance and play guitar and drums.  

Julio is a very talented cricket player and plays for Warwickshire Cricket Club every weekend where he (very aptly) gained the nickname ‘Smiler’. He has won many medals and trophies for his talents on the cricket pitch including his latest ‘Man of the Match’ trophy. Julio is also a member of the ‘Melody Music’ club and attends weekly rehearsals at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where he practices his guitar and drum skills. He recently invited all of his housemates to attend one of his performances and they were very impressed. 

He also gets to show off his musical and acting talents at Spectra Arts Company where he is currently rehearsing multiple days a week to play drums for their next show which takes place later this month. Julio is a very sociable person and, every Tuesday evening enjoys a trip to the local pub with his housemates for a pint of Guinness and a catch-up with his friends from other houses in the Independence Plus community. He also enjoys going to the local Harborne disco and is never afraid to show off his skills on the dance floor when the music starts! 

At Queen Alexandra Charity, we have the joy of working with many amazing and talented individuals and take any and every opportunity to celebrate them. 

To find out more about our Independant Plus services click here: https://www.qac.ac.uk/students/independence-plus--supported-living-options/11.htm