LOCKDOWN was hard for East Renfrewshire schoolgirl Amber Weijzig. School was closed, her clubs and activities shut down and she was missing her friends.

But 16-year-old Amber knew she wasn’t the only one who would be feeling upset, so she decided she wanted to spread a little joy in her local community.

Amber lives beside a sheltered housing complex called Fordyce Court and walks her dog in the park nearby. While walking with her mum Karin one day, she came up with an idea. “I thought the people living in Fordyce Court might also be feeling sad and lonely,” Amber told The National, “So, I decided to start singing to cheer them up.”

A few days later, Amber turned up with her microphone and speaker and began performing in the garden outside the complex, to the delight of the residents and passers-by.

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“At first, I was really nervous about singing in public,” says Amber. “But I decided to face my fears!”

Her mother said: “Amber got lots of encouragement from the residents. They all loved it. Everyone thought she was lots of fun and the performances really brightened up their day. She even persuaded some residents to sing along with her!”

Over the course of the first lockdown, Amber turned up nearly every day and put on almost 100 shows. More and more people began to show up and cheer Amber on.

“At first I was just singing,” says Amber. “But then I started dancing too. I love to make other people happy. It makes me feel good in my heart.”

Amber and her mum have formed a strong connection with the residents of Fordyce Court, who call themselves Amber’s “Fordyce Fan Club”. “In Amber’s last year at school, she had to do a performance for one of her final assignments,” says Karin. “The residents bought lots of flowers and created a beautiful outdoor stage for Amber to perform on. They also gave her a card and gift to say thanks.”

Amber plans to continue bringing joy to her fans at Fordyce Court. As restrictions lift and it’s safe to do so, she hopes to put on regular shows inside the building, playing keyboards, dancing and singing. Until then, she’s made a film about her lockdown performances for the residents to enjoy.

Spreading joy has also had a positive impact on Amber’s wellbeing. “As a young woman with Down’s Syndrome, people can sometimes make assumptions about Amber, and not always listen to what she is saying,” says Karin. “By singing her heart out in the park, she was heard – loudly and proudly! This was empowering for Amber and helped people feel better and less alone. It added a bit of joy to their day.”

Amber has lots of other exciting creative projects in the pipeline. She has been attending workshops with musicALL, an inclusive Scottish charity that delivers high-quality music opportunities for disabled children and young people.

She plays drums in the SambaYaBamba Youth Street Band and has even written her own song, which is being recorded and performed at an event in the spring.

‘Amber has always been a natural performer,” says Karin. “But when she was young, it was hard for us to attend classes, as Amber didn’t always feel included or supported in groups.

“But her confidence began to grow when she started singing lessons with an amazing teacher, who was a real inspiration to her, and helped her find her voice. She came out of the lessons buzzing and ready to take on anything! She’s never looked back, and always sees the bright side, no matter what setbacks she faces.”

So, what’s next for this joy creator? “Since leaving school, Amber’s been exploring lots of opportunities in performing arts,” explains Karin. “She’s very clear that she wants to be someone who does things for other people, not someone who has things done for her.”

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Amber is now studying for an SVQ in dance leadership and would like to lead dance classes in the community. She’s also putting her theatrical skills to good use and has just had her first casting call for an ad to promote International Women’s Day.

What advice would Amber offer to people who want to use their talents to bring joy to others, but who feel unsure or nervous about getting started? “I would say don’t worry; everything will be OK. Face your fear!”

With her amazing attitude and incredible talents, we’re sure Amber will be spreading joy and finding fans wherever she sets up stage.

Audrey Mason is a happiness coach. She runs a free, weekly online happiness club where everyone is welcome.