POPULAR among children across Harrow and Brent, Damian Reid has always made it his life long mission to make a difference to children’s lives. He was bought up in Toronto, Canada but moved to Harrow in 2007 where he attended The ICMP School in Kilburn before becoming a basketball player for London United Basketball Club – perhaps a natural choice considering that he is seven feet tall.

His team would visit schools and talk to the children and it was attending these events that got Damian interested in helping youngsters and making a difference to their lives.

The teachers kept asking for him to come back and give talks to the children.

“I love kids, I think they are great. I never liked education so I think its really important to help children of this generation enjoy it, especially if they are opened up to talents such as music and singing,” he said.

The gifted musician has been teaching expelled pupils music technology at Alternate Education Services, Chesterfield House , Wembley for three years.

He added: “I love my job, being part of children’s lives is great fun.

“Teaching them about music is so important – it gives them a chance in life. Some of these kids are really talented, they just need to be guided in the right direction. I teach them all sorts of things, such as musical therapy, musical history, musical research and I encourage them to make their own songs.

“Arts can help children connect. I don’t have any children of my own but I feel like I have hundreds.

“I don’t think I am ready for children just yet, I would want to have made enough money to send them to Harrow School,” he jokes.

On top of being a teacher, Damian also conducts Zumba classes with a drum, drawing in the music theme to fitness, and if that isn’t enough to occupy him, he also belongs to a music group called, House Medicine Music.

The band has recently learned that it will get the chance to take the stage at the Glastonbury music festival next summer.

The group’s most recent claim to fame was when they featured on Gary Crowley’s BBC Radio London show.

The 33-year-old who lives in Valentine Road, South Harrow said: “It was awesome, we were so chuffed they contacted us and told us they liked our music.

“The programme is about showcasing music talent. I sent in some of our music and a few months later, I was told they loved it and they were going to play it straight away.

“It was through that, that we have been given the chance to perform at Glastonbury.”

“It is so exciting, I hope we actually get to go, it’s such a great opportunity to let other people hear our music and what we do.”

House Medicine Music have played all over the world, but their main hot spot is in Harrow.

Their music varies from UK funky, Afro beats, house, progressive, soulful, and electro.

Recently they launched their new initiative called, 'Electro-Busking' where they mix acoustic sounds with electronic music.

At the beginning of the month in Harrow’s own Trinity Bar in Station Road, they introduced the borough to their newly-discovered act, called simply Sad Missile. Damien found the Hackney-born musician busking outside Tottenham Court Road Tube station in the West End.

He said: “I heard her voice and was like ‘oh my God, she's amazing.’ I got in touch with her and she was up for doing some stuff with us. She loved our mix of electronic music and her busking music.”

On top of Damian’s busy schedule as a musician, teacher and basketball player, he also decided to get involved in fostering.

He added: “I know it sounds like I do so much, but fostering was the highlight of my life. I am quite tall, you see, so the carers and teachers loved me and knew that the kids wouldn’t mess with me.

“I helped out at an agency in Harrow called, Rainbow Fostering. It was awesome, I had a great time meeting all the kids and laughing around with them.

“I also hope that I gave them some inspiration about music and life.”

When asked if any of the children he taught had gone on to be a success, he said: "Yes, there is one kid who I am so proud of.

“He set up a business called SBTV, he goes around filming unsigned music talent, like rappers and buskers and puts them online. He has made millions from it.

“I always tell my kids about him – it gives them a positive message about life.”

For more information about Damian’s music group go to: www.housemedicinemusic.com or follow them on Twitter: @HouseMedicine.