People Express has continued to support our communities throughout the pandemic, responding to different needs and levels of isolation.
Responding to a surge in demand created by the unexpected third lockdown we developed our own bespoke online offer specifically designed for vulnerable groups.
Our small pilot called ‘Being There’was designed to try to achieve similar outcomes to our face to face work (e.g. quality offer, increased confidence, new social networks reducing isolation, new skills, collaborative process, opportunity to create your own art work and share/show/discuss it).
Being There - Virtual Arts Sessions:
- sessions are ‘live’(rather than a pre-recorded demonstration)
- they are artist led to provide inspiration and guidance and a quality experience
- bespoke quality art packs are delivered to the door in advance
- sessions are limited to 8 participants to allow for social interaction and effective safeguarding
- staff support is provided for participants new to ZOOM
- practice ZOOM sessions are set up for anxious/inexperienced participants
Virtual Art Sessions for vulnerable adults and young people, helping people to re-engage with community activities.
THE PURPOSE:
This project is aimed at supporting vulnerable adults and young people to start to re-engage with their community. We want people who feel isolated or anxious due to the pandemic and opportunity to take part in quality creative sessions, led by professional artists. The virtual sessions are a 'stepping stone' towards taking part in face-to-face cultural activities.
ARTISTS:
Helen Vaughan is a Swadlincote based visual artist who uses the mandala as a structure for participants to explore colour and pattern in her sessions. Helen runs The Mindful Mushroom Company, which provides hand cast mushroom painting kits and workshops.
Thom Seddon is a writer and performer based in Nottingham. Thom was commissioned by People Express in 2019 to work with community groups from the LGBT+ community to lead workshops to support participants to write and compile a book of alternative fairytales, 'If The Trees Could Talk'.
SUPPORTED BY:
Pilot sessions for 'Being There' were funded thanks by Safer South Derbyshire Partnership. Further sessions were supported thanks to a grant from Derbyshire County Council's Covid-19 emergency fund.
" Thank you so much, I really enjoyed seeing friends from our group, the activity was fun to do and well organised".
" Thank you for the excellent organisation of the session and thank you for making the activity easy to do and creating an informal session that felt relaxed and fun".
