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Case Studies Of Grants Awarded

MANTLE COMMUNITY ARTS - FUNDED THROUGH COALFIELDS REGENERATION TRUST BRIDGING THE GAP PROGRAMME

(Pictures provided by Rebecca Wooster- Mantle Community Arts)

Mantle Community Arts Centre is a participatory arts organization based in Coalville. Mantle creates opportunities for individuals and communities to access the arts.

The Space Project

Mantle Arts wanted to encourage the service users at the centre to think creatively about their surroundings and help improve their environment. The Space Project was to help transform part of the Centre’s garden into something that the people would want to use and enjoy. Mantle worked with local members of the community who had physical and / or learning disabilities providing regular artistic and gardening workshops over a three-month period, consisting of:

Planting and weeding sessions - this workshop focussed on growing herbs and flowers to encourage the participants to improve the visual impact in the garden and provide a multi-sensory feel to the area.
Willow weaving outside - Mantle commissioned a willow artist to create a willow structure that would provide a relaxing environment for the people using the centre, some of which were involved in the actual construction.
Willow weaving inside - participants created colourful willow sculpture to take home and display, enriching their environment outside the centre.
Clay Tile making – Tiles created in the session were mounted outside under the arches constructed in the garden.
Mosaic making – mosaics were mounted in the garden and taken home. This enabled participants to be part a process whereby their ideas were actualised, equipping them with decision making skills
Felt flower making (to take home)- enhance confidence and communication skills of the participants through bringing in artists from outside the centre. By interacting with members external to the centre the participants isolation is decreased.
Making colourful screen printed designs for banners and bunting

The projects empowered participants and centre staff to make creative decisions about the space around them, thereby giving them ownership of the project. The project stimulated discussions and creative work around the natural world and enhanced confidence in the participants. The project was a huge success, greatly enjoyed by all involved and had some fantastic feedback form the external parties involved:

“Brilliant interaction", "participants who thought they could not do this workshop were thrilled with what they made” (workers from Mosaic Disability Support Service)

For more infomation on Mantle Communit Art's Centre and the services they provide please visit www.mantlearts.org.uk

STUDENT FORCE - FUNDED THROUGH COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS - COMMUNITY CHAMPION JANE KEAL

(Pictures provided by Jane Keal, Student Force)

Sudent Force had been approached by a group of young people who wished to do some volunteering within the community during the Easter term. North Luffenham School had previously stated that they required some volunteers to repaint their toilets, playground and surrounding fence as well as some gardening if time permitted.

After a School Committee meeting pupils from the school decided that they wanted a different theme for each toilet bock; space, underwater, cars and tropical islands. It was also highlighted that the flower beds were untidy and overgrown and that there may be a potential for the young volunteers to help with the construction of a willow tunnel to create an environmentally friendly play area and outdoor classroom.

Through Student Force the young volunteers started work on the toilets and playground in April. The end results were fantastic and the benefits to the school clearly visible. The toilets were completed in two days and the feedback was so good from the pupils that the volunteers (increased in numbers to 17) went back 6 months later to strip out and dig over the flowerbeds around the school. On the second day in the school the volunteers went about creating willow dens for the children to play in.

Throughout the project, on a rotational basis, children from the school were let out of classes to help with the outside work. Some help clear away debris and litter and some helped to build the dens.

“Their enthusiasm and gratitude was amazing, and this in turn had an amazing effect on the volunteers. It was a really cold day, but the comments from the children made us feel really appreciated” (Jane Keal- Community Champion)

The children at the school benefited form a fantastic makeover of the toilets and transformation of the garden, enriching their environment. “When the children finish school they immediately run down to the dens to play in them” (Jane Keal- Community Champion).

The project has shown the children that their voices are heard and acted upon. Therefore making them much more respectable of their environment, as they have had active role in decision making. The project had a real impact on all involved, from the volunteers, to children and staff at the school.

“I think that the local community and myself have benefited from the activities today. Through my work, to which have gained skills in weaving, communication and determination, I have been able to put something back into society” (Volunteer, 16 yrs)

Due to the huge success of the project funded through Community Champions, the school, supported by Jane Keal went on to orchestrate an environmental day and the school also now has an environmental after school club.

For more infomation on Student Force please visit their website www.studentforce.org.uk

27a ACCESS ARTSPACE – FUNDED THROUGH THE LOCAL NETWORK FUND (LNF)

27a Access Artspace used their grant from LNF to deliver “A Celebration of British Summertime”. The project ran as a programme of activities for children and young people with disabilities and / or learning difficulties during August 2007.

The programme was designed to encourage self-expression, support self-awareness and develop social interaction.

Twelve creative workshops including story telling, kite making, filmmaking and carnival masks were on offer to all and the work created was exhibited at 27a Access Artspace in order to promote the participants achievements and raise awareness within the disabled community of the exciting opportunities that are available to them.

The activities were organised into age groups:

Buckets ‘n’ Spades for families with children under five
Sizzlin' Sausages for 4-8 yrs
Wicked Wellies for 9-12yrs
Funky Festivals for 13-17 yrs

The workshops encourage hand eye co-ordination and develop communication and team building skills, as well as confidence building.

The project was a fantastic success with massive positive feedback:

“These activities have been a lifeline allowing my son the opportunity to access hands on art activity. He has SEN and is home educated and would not otherwise have access to a kiln or facilities such as these……the fact that I can join in too is such a bonus” (Mother of 12 yr old participant)

You can now find 27a Access Artspace at:

60 NORTHGATE STREET
LEICESTER
LE3 5BY

Open:
MON - FRI (9:30am - 5:00pm)
EXCLUDING BANK HOLIDAYS