A 17-year-old from Birkenhead has overcome agoraphobia and social anxiety and launched his own successful entertainment business.
Joshua Morgan suffered with agoraphobia for a number of years, and up until the age of 15, he'd stay in his room alone most of the time.
The teenager had few friends, until volunteer work at his local community centre changed everything - leading him to set up his own mobile DJ and children's entertainment business.
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Joshua now owns Wirral Disco Hire & Entertainments — holding a regular residency at The Queens Hotel in Birkenhead — and has a DJ set up for parties. He also offers children’s parties, with a disco and entertainment package, and although he is becoming very successful — this is something that was unimaginable a couple of years ago.
Joshua said: "Until only a couple of years ago I was in a very dark place and I was stuck in a rut. All I’d do was stay in my room, play computer games and listen to music because I was very self conscious and worried what people would think of me.
"I’d never go out because I had anxiety that people were talking about me. I had no life really."
Joshua’s agoraphobia and social anxiety grew worse and with the future looking bleak, the pandemic hit, with isolation and restrictions expected to worsen Joshua’s condition furthermore. His parents became very concerned and having tried everything they could, his dad one day convinced him to come to the social supermarket at Building Bridges Community Centre.
Joshua’s dad, Billy, said: "Our Josh is such a lovely, nice natured and talented lad and it was so frustrating to see him staying in all the time doing nothing with his life. I’ve been involved in Building Bridges and it really is a fantastic service with great people, offering support to people in the community, so I thought bringing Josh along would help build his confidence."
Being convinced to go along that day proved to be a decision that would change his life forever.
Billy introduced Joshua to the social supermarket and the project, including the children’s summer holiday club and various activities and clubs.
Building Bridges owner, Michelle Bridge, gave Joshua lots of attention and encouraged him to get involved in the project. Michelle said: “Josh was such a quiet and shy lad — nervous and unsure of himself.
"I knew Billy was concerned about him so I really wanted to help Josh overcome his anxieties. I gave him lots of attention, spent time with him and after a little while asked him to help out with some of the things here, starting with odd jobs and things that needed fixing. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Joshua went from strength to strength at Building Bridges and eventually got involved in the children’s summer holiday club.
It was soon apparent that Joshua was a natural entertainer and became a big hit with the younger children, playing fun games with them, dancing and showing them all the music he’d discovered spending hour after hour in his room.
Slowly but surely, Joshua came into his own and decided to pursue his passion for music and entertaining. He gained some experience working for a local disco hire company and in June 2021 he set up his own company, Wirral Disco Hire & Entertainments, which offers a full DJ service for events and functions, as well as a children’s party service.
Nikki, of The Queen’s Hotel where Joshua holds a residency, said: “I knew Josh as a young kid and he wouldn’t say boo to a goose. I hadn’t seen him for a long time and when he came to the pub offering his services as a residency and for private parties, I couldn’t believe it was the same person.
"He was confident and assured and seemed like he knew what he was talking about. Now, to see him here on a Friday or Saturday night, is incredible."
Since setting up in June 2021, Joshua’s business has gone from strength to strength. After some initial investment, he now has a full sound and lighting set up, a booth, karaoke, a smoke machine, a popcorn and candyfloss machine, toys, games and more.
Joshua has gone on to entertain at many birthdays, weddings, engagement parties and other special occasions, becoming very highly rated among customers.
Nikki continued: "The owner here at the Queen’s Hotel, Joan, is a great woman and loves Josh. She gave him a trial and ever since then we’ve never looked back.
"Not only am I amazed it’s the same quiet and shy kid I knew from years ago, I’m amazed by his DJing and entertaining skills. He really knows how to select the right tunes, mix, play to the crowd and fill the dancefloor. He’s so talented and everyone loves him."
Speaking of his new found confidence, Joshua said: "I’m a completely different person now to what I was up to the age of 15. I knew I had talent and had a brain but I had no motivation — the social anxiety and insecurities took over me.
"I am so happy that my dad convinced me to go to Building Bridges that day and I’m so grateful to Michelle for giving me her time, love and the opportunity to get involved there."
Joshua offers a DJ and children’s entertainment service at weekends, while in the week he is at Wirral Metropolitan College studying Electrical Installations.
Joshua added: “I’m studying hard in college and would like to one day have my own electrical company but with the way the DJing and entertainment business is going who knows — I could end up doing both.
"I enjoy making people happy and getting them up dancing — making people’s special occasions memorable. I love the kids parties too and helping the shy kids get up as I know what it was like when I had no confidence."
Joshua’s company, Wirral Disco Hire & Entertainment, is available to hire for parties and special occasions, as well offering children’s party packages.
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