Co Down rapper with autism who sang with Gary Lightbody launches latest challenge

Wee Polo hoping to get into job market amid call for employers to recognise ‘unique talents’

A Co Down rapper with autism who sang with Gary Lightbody has launched his latest challenge – getting a job.Conor Bruen has urged employers to give neuro-diverse people a chance amid concerns they have been left out of a council’s disability action plan.Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) has been criticised over claims the local authority has removed future neurodiveristy measures for the town of Newcastle. And the removal of the support comes as the entertainer tries to get a career underway in the face of ongoing misunderstanding about neurodiversity.

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Local father, Sean Bruen spoke on behalf of his son to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) this week in support of greater awareness in the workplace by “ignoring labels” and understanding “unique talents”.He said: “My son has autism and ADHD. Conor is 20 now so we are trying to find him a job, it’s really difficult, as soon as employers hear about autism and ADHD they back off.“I think many do it because they immediately think ‘trouble’ but people don’t realise how wide the spectrum is and how their talents are very unique. Indeed many of the best entrepreneurs are autistic, because their brains work differently from most people.“What employers need to do is interview them in a way, which they can feel comfortable in, so perhaps not in the normal official process behind a desk etc. Make it relaxed so they can open up.”

Just last October, Conor’s singing talent went viral when he was recorded singing hit song ‘Chasing Cars’ with Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody.Conor, who goes by the stage name ‘Wee Polo’, was attending his weekly music class at Drake Music NI on Belfast’s Springfield Road when he spotted the Snow Patrol star at a meeting in a room nearby.The chance meeting from across a corridor resulted in Lightbody and Wee Polo performing a social media duet that went viral.The huge coverage of the performance has shown that neruodiverse people have much more to offer than their diagnosis, says dad Sean.He added: “My son is excellent with people in a way which is unique, indeed he sings to most of them. But employers just see autism and ADHD and never get to know the real Conor.“So, I would encourage employers to have an open day, advertise for autistic people to visit them, find the staff they need and ignore their label.”A political call has now been made to set up a disability forum ahead of the seaside location being reinstated as an Autism Friendly town.Bringing forward a motion to the NMDDC chamber, Mournes Alliance rep, Jill Truesdale said: “Acknowledging the council’s good work in the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion masterclasses for employers.“That this council reinstates the action to continue the promotion of Newcastle as an Autism Friendly town in the next Disability Action Plan as this was not included to sit within the finalised Disability Action Plan 2023-2027. And that the learning from this initiative now extends to all towns across the district in the next Action Plan.”

Cllr Truesdale highlighted the absence of the autism plans after she engaged with the Newcastle ADHD Hub staff member Conor Bruen who is also known as rap artist ‘Wee Polo’.The hub provides a coffee shop and info point based in Newcastle, is a not for profit community organisation that helps neuro-diverse children and adults specialising in ADHD, ASD and poor mental health, as well as help with all neuro-diverse conditions.The group also provides support for parents and provides training and awareness sessions on neurodiversity. The hub can be contacted on email ( adhdhubnewcastle@gmail.com).Cllr Truesdale added: “In the interim period council sets up the disability forum and returns with regular progress updates on the inclusion of neurodiversity within the Disability Action Plan.“This would include using best practice from autism charities and neurodiversity partnerships and the setting up of learning and awareness events”.Council chairperson, Philip Campbell (Sinn Fein) sent the motion to the equality and good relations group for further discussion.

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