ActionSpace

Currently in its second year this 3 year Section 64 funded project aims to provide tools to help organisations working with people with learning disabilities to build the self –esteem, self-confidence and life skills of their client group. It will provide training and guidance on how to enable people with learning disabilities to earn income through selling their artwork and becoming art workshop assistants.

Analysis and information gathering on groups working with people with learning disabilities and records of sale of artwork created by service users has been completed – in addition to exhibiting work in projects with Camden Arts Centre and University College London participants also exhibited their work at the Affordable Arts Fair.

The Mentoring/Training part of the project has now been set up and the first round of training completed.  This is an accredited programme designed by the Attend Academy which enables people with learning disabilities to work as art workshop assistants. A full review is to be taken later in the year, but the feedback so far is extremely positive.

The next steps are to put together a brochure and toolkit for putting on exhibitions and discussions are underway with the potential to develop this with Mencap.

A website has been developed with the assistance of Attend Creative. To view this website click here

Helping others to learn

OCN accredited training through Attend Academy

ActionSpace students, tutors and Baroness Emerton. Photo by Sarah Matthews

"This programme will provide a stepping stone for adults with learning needs wanting to move into voluntary or paid employment."
Sue-Ellen Horrocks, Course Designer

Attend Academy worked in partnership with Action Space to equip artists with learning disabilities with the personal and professional skills and confidence to act as Artist Mentors in visual arts workshops.
The course has been designed to enable participants to support new learners within a creative learning context. This pilot programme made the qualification available at Entry Level and Level 1, and all participants (regardless of level) had the opportunity to take part in a series of 12 group workshops.
During 2008, nine participants from Action Space undertook and completed the programme.
On 25 February 2009, Baroness Emerton presented the certificates to course participants. The reception took place in the Kings Fund buildings in Cavendish Square.
This event was attended by staff and volunteers from Action Space and Attend, and representatives from the Open College Network and other organisations supporting adults and young people with learning disabilities. There was a display of some of the work created during the course, made by adults mentored by the students.

Photo by Sarah Matthews

There was nothing but praise for the course and the students from everybody there:

"Since the end of the course I have continued to work with some of the participants in our weekly studio projects and have really felt that the confidence the mentor trainees have gained continually shines through."
Lisa Brown, Course Tutor

"The participants were introduced to a very new way of thinking, a very new way of working and a lot of new ideas - but they more than rose to the challenge."
Sheryll Catto, Director, Action Space

"We have always had at the core of our mission as an awarding body the aim of providing external verification and certification for responsive, innovative courses such as this which meet the needs of learners who are looking for more personalised and motivational training tailored to their specific needs."
Ursula Larabi, Curriculum Officer, Open College Network

"Listening to our Graduate Mentors speak of the confidence, momentum and impetus it has clearly already given them, said it all for me."
Angus Anderson, Chairman, Action Space

This course is to be run with Haringey Shed later in the year. Click here for more information on these courses

If you would like to explore how these course can be tailored to your needs please email academy@attend.org.uk