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Teenager helped to achieve dreams and prepare for future with help from short breaks

A teenager from Nottinghamshire is achieving his dreams of becoming a DJ, with the support of Nottinghamshire County Council's short breaks service.

Max Dolan, 18, who has a number of additional needs and disabilities, was supported in a mainstream primary school, receiving an education, health and care plan in year 6 and transferring to a special school in year 8. 

From an early age he wanted to become a DJ, inspired by watching Kevin and Perry. Since the age of 13, funding from the county council's short breaks team, helped to fund DJ lessons. He quickly gained certificates and progressed to producing music. He now has several songs signed by a small label available to stream and buy, with more in the pipeline.

Max has also played at Gloworm festival with FourFour DJ Academy. He is now looking forward to playing in clubs and, with a little help, to be able to travel round the world as a DJ.

Max said “I have a lot of confidence in my mixing skills. Many bigger artists have said I am quick and exceptionally good with my technical skills. I have DJed with Phillip George who had 3 top 10 singles in the UK.”

Max added: "All of this has happened in my life due to the amazing funding from the short breaks service at Notts County Council. I am so thankful and will appreciate all the funding and help and support. I would have found employment so hard given all my needs and disabilities but DJing is a massive passion so now I have these skills me and my family have hope for my future. Yes, I will still require help and support but to be able to work and enjoy my life is something else. I thank everyone so much for helping me achieve my dreams and give me a future.”

Councillor Sam Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "Giving young people with special educational needs and disabilities, like Max, the opportunities to have fun and prepare for their future is exactly what we want to achieve. We have just launched our new SEND partnership strategy which has a set of outcomes and ambitions young people have told us are important to them and Max’s story really reflects why those ambitions are important. The strategy demonstrates the partnership commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people in Nottinghamshire.

"Max clearly has a passion and a talent, and I wish him luck in achieving his dreams."

Rosa Waddingham, Chief Nurse at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “Max’s story is a great example of what we’re trying to achieve as a SEND partnership. It’s been a positive experience listening to children and young people and their families to find out what’s important to them. We’re going to use this feedback and work together to ensure positive experiences for our children and young people living and growing up in Nottinghamshire.”

The SEND local area partnership strategy has been developed with stakeholders including parents, carers, and children and young people with SEND. Its vision is to champion and improve the experiences and outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and to ensure that they are listened to and heard; they are the healthiest they can be, are safe and feel safe, accepted and valued, able to enjoy life, have fun, and be prepared for their futures.

The Nottinghamshire Pioneers Youth Forum was also involved in the work to develop the strategy. Will Hickman, Chair, commented:

“Having lived experience of my own disability and as a Nottinghamshire resident and a young person I believe that it is key that children, young people, and families are offered help and support for as long as it’s needed and that signposting to adult services begins early."