The Piper Arts Centre has already had the privilege of witnessing many moments of joy and discovery – and young adult Levi’s story is one of the most memorable so far.

At first, Levi was hesitant to join in with sessions in the new building. The session was set up so that he could take part in his own way, with the door left open so he could step out at any time.

But something magical happened.

As he got involved in more sessions and the music played, Levi began to move. Soon, he was dancing freely and regularly in sessions and, when asked to suggest a dance move to do, he made a choice -the robot!

The dancing also prompted something else from Levi – spontaneous laughter. For someone who is not often vocal, this was a magical moment. The laughter even appeared to surprise Levi himself! It was a genuine moment of self-expression — and a beautiful example of how creativity can open doors to new passions and confidence.

Levi lives in Charlotte House, whose team have shown incredible enthusiasm and commitment in supporting their young people’s creative journeys at the Piper Arts Centre. You can read more about their collective success in our Charlotte House blog.

Why the Piper Arts Centre was built
The Piper Arts Centre was created to give autistic young people with complex needs a purpose-built space to explore the arts — including dance, drama, and music — in ways that are accessible, meaningful, and joyful. It’s a place where each young person can express themselves freely and discover new forms of communication and confidence.

The Piper Arts Centre was only made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors, whose support has helped transform creative opportunities for autistic young people with complex needs.

Find out more about Piper Arts Centre