Date: March 2016 - ongoing
Group: Young people ages 11-18 with learning disabilities
Description: Community Focus (CF) is an inclusive multi-arts centre based in Barnet. They work to encourage people in the local community of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to participate in the arts, to gain confidence and to challenge barriers through integration and innovation. During the school holidays CF run ‘Short Breaks’ - creative courses for young people who have disabilities. The courses provide an opportunity for them to make friends, take part in group activities, learn new skills whilst exploring their creativity. It also provides respite for parents and carers.
Each course caters for 10-15 students, who work alongside 5-10 assistants and volunteers. A high level of flexibility is needed as each day unfolds, as often many changes are made to the schedule, and activities are needed to be adapted to suit the needs and abilities of the individuals and the energy or the group as a whole.
A recent Short Breaks project I ran focused on claymation. Each student designed a superhero version of themselves. They sculpted their character in wire and plasticine, then brought them to life using stop motion animation.