May 2008
Wales Association of Community Artists
Our Director Alex Bowen is Chair of WACA (Wales Association of Community
Artists). WACA believes in and campaigns for greater recognition of and
support for the artistic, social and economic value of Community Arts.
Wales Association of Community Artists aims to provide support for its
members and friends who are active Community Arts practitioners and/or
members of the Community Arts and related Sectors.
WACA offers and shares information and sources of information; facilitates networking and exchange; promotes professional development; lobbies and advocates on behalf of members; and aims to develop the Community Arts sector in Wales and beyond.
At the recent WACA Annual Conference 'Perspectives on Community Arts' in Cardiff, WACA launched its new website and on-line Creative Network at http://www.wacanet.org.uk
The WACA website has been designed so that members are able to easily update/ create their own web page on the site - with info/photos/videos/etc, plus other sections like forums, classifieds, events calendar etc to keep it lively and updated by members.
WACA membership costs £25 individuals/£50 organisations - and you will also get your own free web page on our website as a WACA member.
If you would like to find out more about WACA membership or have any other questions – please email Alex at mail@valleyandvale.co.uk
A Long Way Down
As part of our Cymorth Art of Inclusion emotional health project, we have developed this new project for young people in the Bridgend Borough, touring this play to community venues throughout May and June 2008.
A Long Way Down has been adapted from a book by Nick Hornby by our Drama Development Worker Alyson Evans. This play focuses on life and relationships in a humorous and thought-provoking way, and is aimed at young people aged over 16 (and adults).
After each performance we will be facilitating discussions around the issues raised in the play, giving audience members an opportunity to voice their opinions and share their feelings in a safe and supportive environment. The play looks at challenging issues including emotions, relationships, families, suicide, struggles and friendships and expresses this through the different stories of several characters. There will be experienced Counsellors on hand at each performance and participating in the discussions for any young person that wants to speak to them.
The aim of this tour is to offer young people in Bridgend the chance to share their issues and feelings at a difficult time in our local communities, using creativity as a tool to facilitate open and supportive dialogue before the school holidays.
Tour dates so far include:
22nd May - Bridgend College
- 1pm
5th June - Cornelly Community Centre - 6pm
TBC - Pyle Life Centre
We currently have one date free, so if you are interested in hosting A Long Way Down, or would like to bring a group to a performance, please contact us asap.
Thank you
Alyson Evans
ali@valleyandvale.co.uk
This project has been developed as part of a local partnership initiative between Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations, Valley and Vale Community Arts and several other Voluntary Sector and Youth agencies working together in the Bridgend Extending Entitlement Network.
We would like to thank Nick Hornby who has given his full support to this project and also thank the Camelot Foundation who have funded it. Sadly we have heard that the Camelot Foundation is closing down. Over the last ten years they have invested over £20million in a range of projects run by organisations working with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised young people in our society.
Stacey's Dance Placement blog
My placement at Valley and Vale has been quite an intense few weeks.
I started with Valley and Vale in January but unfortunately injured myself
whilst studying in University. Over the last few weeks, I have been working
with the dance department to give me an experience of Community Dance
within the Bridgend area. Due to changes in the timetables form January
to April I have had the opportunity to work in different settings, with
a wide range of people and ages.
Person-Centred Creativity Training
We
have had great feedback from the recent Person-Centred
Creativity training courses we have been running across the Mental Health Sector in South Wales:
"I was a mental health nurse for 20 years looking
after patients, now I am a support worker encouraging clients to become
independent."
(Person-Centred Creativity trainee)
"I tried bringing creativity to our ward, they
enjoyed it - I just had to spend 10 mins explaining what felt pens are
and how to open them, they had never seen one."
(Person-Centred Creativity trainee)
Person-Centred Creativity is unique in that it is trying to reach people
who would never consider getting involved in arts projects and who have
little idea about the power of creative expression. During the workshops
participants experience for themselves how creativity brings them together,
breaks down resistance and improves their mental health. That experience
enables staff to collaborate with Community Artists, facilitate creative
projects themselves and helps them to understand the process of empowerment.
The ethos and values of Person-Centred Creativity are based upon a belief
in creativity as a powerful tool for individual and social change. Person-Centred
Creativity focuses on the importance of building relationships with individuals
and prioritises the creative process. The theoretical aspect of the work
uses Carl Rogers' Person-Centred counseling techniques of empathy, genuineness
and unconditional positive regard as the foundation.
We have developed this training as an alternative social intervention for professionals who often work in difficult situations and with challenging participants. The courses are being used by NHS and Social Services department as part of their workforce development programme.
If you would like to find out more or would like us to devise a training programme for your team or group, please contact Alex at mail@valleyandvale.co.uk or call (01656) 729246