Details

name	27a Access Artspace
Address	27a Belvoir Street,,Leicester,Leicestershire,LE1 6SL
phone	0116 222 9030
fax	0116 299 2777
email1	27access@totalise.co.uk
url1	27a-accessartspace.org.uk
contact	Steve Morris

Unique Qualities

Staff: I don't think it is particularly different or unique to other organisations as an organisation, but it is the people involved, the individuals who make things we do unique.

Board: The organisation does confer with people who access the venue. There is a questionnaire for all attendees and linked organisations and 27a do listen to what they would like to do. The informality of the space is also unique, it is not seen as a day centre but as a typical arts venue. It is not intimidating, this is very valuable and does encourage people to drop in.

Linked: The way the organisation works with disabled people, a lot of the work has upfront or hidden messages about the lives of disabled people. They get disabled peoples work showcased in a wide range of centres and in other arts events for example in film festivals.|27a do a lot of work with people with learning disabilities and people with mental health disabilities , they provide a safe and welcoming space helping people to feel confident.|We need places like 27a who are helping to breakdown some of the barriers of stigmatism.

Participant: They care more about the people who come here, they don't treat people as disabled, they talk to and treat everybody alike.

Details

name	Artlink East
Address	The Guildhall Arts Centre,St Peters Hill,Grantham,Lincolnshire,NG31 6PZ
phone	01476 592284
fax	01522 794398
email1	lee@artlink.org.uk
url1	www.artlink.org.uk
contact	Lee Sass

Unique Qualities

Staff: We are unique because we are philosophy based as opposed to artform based. Our philosophy is that people have a right to access to the arts. We are people centred creatively, we are not about imposing but about creative problem solving.

Board: Artlink is unique in Lincolnshire - it's the only agency specifically working to the needs of people with disabilities. Artlink can create new projects or respond to the request of groups or individuals. The work is, more often than not, delivered directly by Artlink and therefore very personal.

Linked: Artlink has been around for a decade or so, there role over the last 2 - 3 years has changed, they are currently re-inventing themselves. Their main role from 10 years ago as an advocate for inclusive ways of working has now been incorporated into the mainstream arts organisations practices too. They have seen the mainstream catch up.|Artlink are focussed on understanding the needs and aspirations of those generally outside the mainstream, those deemed disadvantaged or excluded. Whereas other arts organisations have a wider constituency.. Artlink provide a voice for their constituency.

Participant: They are always there in support and can be used in so many different ways. We can call Artlink and say we have got a group who need support, they will come and share ideas. They are the first port of call if we are looking for artists or writers. We did not know anything about this area, they are a source of contacts and we know that any artists or groups they mention will be appropriate. Also Artlink can help with finding and applying for funds which we within Social Services cannot apply for.

Details

name	Bamboozle Theatre Company
Address	62 Sanvey Lane,,Aylestone,Leicestershire,LE2 8NF
phone	0116 2839697
email1	bamboozle@webleicester
contact	Sue Pyecroft & Christopher Davies

Unique Qualities

Staff: Bamboozle is based in a Theatre, as apposed to going out into Schools. Bamboozle hold onto the notion that they go into the Theatre or another space 'out of school' because of restrictions that a school has. The Haymarket Theatre in Leicester is far better equipped to cater for the needs of Bamboozle with regards technical support such as light & sound. The environment is perfect for interaction with the various groups. For example Bamboozle has recently been told that one particular school who has been attending the workshops for a number of years has had an enormous long term effect on the students with regards confidence. One student had fear of heights and trusting herself, by the end of the project she had actually climbed a number of steps to the top of a ladder. Because of this her confidence has grown and a year on is still happy to go 'that bit further' Another unique part of the way Bamboozle's work is that the students get to mix with one another not only in the theatre but over lunch and working as a team

Board: The way in which Sue & Chris engage everybody that takes part in their workshops. Nobody is left out and even in a group with extreme mixed abilities, Bamboozle adapt their work to make sure no-one is left out. Unique!

Linked: The work that Bamboozle do especially with children with profound and multiple disabilities, includes the parents and carers and even brothers and sisters. They are very sensitive to the people outside the person with the disability and I found that a most moving experience

Participant: Because with Sue and Christopher they talk about the work, get up and do it!

Details

name	City Arts
Address	The Art Exchange,39 Gregory Boulevard, Hyson Green,Nottingham,Nottinghamshire,NG7 6BE
phone	01159 782463
fax	0115 9424644
email1	city.arts@virgin.net
url1	www.cityarts.org.uk
contact	Beth Noble

Unique Qualities

Staff: Starts from partnership we respond to rather than initiate.

Board: Its example of good practice, its work with a specific client group, young offenders, mental health service users and refuges (refugees?).

Linked: The strategic relationship within a specific group,|I.e. young people at risk,|Mental health users|Refugees

Participant: Listening to us Communication and support for projects.

Details

name	Creations
Address	11 Old Oak Drive,Old Oak Drive,Silverstone,Northamptonshire,NN12 8DN
phone	01327 858 962
fax	01327 858 962
email1	veronica.broomhall@virgin.net
contact	Veronica Broomhall

Unique Qualities

Staff: We offer people the chance to experience their creative potential. We work in a proper arts environment with professional artists. We aim to work in partnership with all sectors including Lifelong learning providers, Arts organisations, Service providers and other similar groups. The participants have complete control of their work. As well as their artistic development the projects see people develop their self-esteem, confidence and team work. It is a social opportunity. We also encourage and are working towards mentoring and supporting participants who wish to consider the arts as a career option.

Board: We offer people the chance to experience their creative potential. We work in a proper arts environment with professional artists. We aim to work in partnership with all sectors including Lifelong learning providers, Arts organisations, Service providers and other similar groups. The participants have complete control of their work. As well as their artistic development the projects see people develop their self-esteem, confidence and team work. It is a social opportunity. We also encourage and are working towards mentoring and supporting participants who wish to consider the arts as a career option. Unique, because the focus is on providing people with physical and learning disabilities the opportunity to develop in the arts world.

Linked: It is unique in that it brings all art forms together. Artists from all art forms work together. The participants are the leaders and take the work forward.

Participant: I am able to put my ideas into the work, with the workshop leader helping and encouraging me and showing me how I need to go about doing what I want to do, also I like the venue.

Details

name	Fased In The Arts
Address	PO Box 6351,,Ripley,Derbyshire,DE5 8ZR
email1	membership@fased.org
email2	coordinator@fased.org
url1	www.fased.org
contact	membership: Kate Rounding, Co-ordinator: Annie Delin

Unique Qualities

Staff: A combination of 3 factors = disability, arts and self employment. It is possible to find training for disabled people in work related issues but not for disabled people working in the arts as self employed. The training available for self employed people is often not suitable or accessible for disabled people.

Board: The organisation is run by disabled people for disabled with members all in a similar situation who are aware of each others needs and experiences.

Linked: It is focused on developing artists who have the skills and experience to work in this field.

Participant: I don't have much experience of other organisations but I think what seems to stand apart is its focus on professional development.

Details

name	First Movement
Address	Postal: PO Box 6447,,Matlock,Derbyshire,DE4 3ZP
phone	01629 57687
fax	01629 57687
minicom	use Type Talk
email1	fmt@first-movement.org.uk
url1	www.first-movement.org.uk
contact	Peter Shelton & Caroline Bagnall

Unique Qualities

Staff: One thing that makes us unique is that we don't follow typical art forms as expressed in the normal art funding system. We allow work across a huge range of arts forms to come together as chosen by the people involved. So the fusions of work that take place can be between performance, visual, media based arts and uses of new technology. So instead of us saying ' We are a drama company we do drama you will fit into this' , we actually mould and shape the arts form around what people want to do.
The other thing that makes us unique is that all our work is based on experiencing and experimenting at the same time so things that evolve have to be new things. You are not starting from trying to create something within a mould that you have already looked at.

Board: First Movement have a unique way of working with people with learning disabilities which is immersive and completely experiential. They use a unique combination of different artforms including new media and live art. It is also different because with their client group they are inclusive and responsive.

Linked: The way First Movement work with people with learning disabilities is exemplary, they are always looking for ways to enable people with learning disabilities to express themselves and draw them into the creative work they do. Another strong aspect is the way they are using new and digital technology to enable people to express themselves and to link up with groups from other parts of the region. They are looking to set up a virtual room which is worked on by different groups across the country all working at the same time.

Details

name	Fourth Wall Theatre Company
Address	7 Co-operative Street,,Derby,Derbyshire,
phone	01332 370800
email1	dave.waldram@cwcom.net
url1	www.beehive.thisisderbyshire.co.uk
contact	Sue Goff

Unique Qualities

Staff: I think because it has emerged from the user group rather than people coming in from outside - I think that's what makes it unique. There's a lot of creative art work goes on but not a lot that is managed by and involved with the actual users.

Board: It is led by mental health users. The group that is serves, and not by anyone with preconceptions of what mental health is or how it should be treated or portrayed.

Participant: I think because it comes so much from the personal and people are experiencing and writing about the problems they have as part of their way of life.

Details

name	High Peak Community Arts
Address	High Lee Hall,St Mary's Road,New Mills,High Peak,SK22 5BW
phone	01663 744516
fax	01663 744808
minicom	01663 744516
email1	mail@highpeakarts.org
url1	www.highpeakarts.org/aboutus.htm
contact	Alison Bowery

Unique Qualities

Staff: I suppose our general work is very much like that of any other community arts organisation, enabling people in the community to access the arts and express themselves, but the fact that we are rural makes us different because there are fewer rural arts organisations. Of course the Arts Exchange makes us different.

Board: Unique partly because we are the only arts organisation serving the High Peak, but also because the projects we do are very innovative and the lottery funded photographic and video suite we operate is a valuable resource for the High Peak and surrounding areas. Also unique because of the Arts Exchange and Arts Exchange Plus. Combine these resources and projects with the way the organisation has adapted and evolved from the original concept of arts provision - with hands on arts workers - to become a more enabling, fundraising, administrative organisation providing in a different way. I think the way that we personally know every freelancer that works for us also makes this organisation unique.

Linked: High Peak Arts is unique because it has a specific resource centre focussed on the needs of people with disabilities.

Participant: I would say the quality of the tutors and the small groups. Its very flexible really, depending upon what you want or need. Some people have workers go into their own homes and have one-to-one tuition, whereas others prefer the social side of small groups and want to get out of the house. The projects you do are tailored for your needs, so that's really unique I guess.

Details

name	Indigo Dance Group (Salamanda Tandem)
Address	38 Laurie Avenue,Forest Fields,Nottingham,Nottinghamshire,NG7 6PN
phone	0115 9420706
fax	0115 9420706
email1	julieinfo@salamanda-tandem.org
url1	www.salamanda-tandem.org
contact	Julie Hood

Unique Qualities

Staff: The work is person centred therefore it is always going to be unique to them and different from someone else.

Linked: It is based on a specific art form (Dance) Making it accessible to all members of society

Participant: The shows where members perform and the bonds and friendship that have developed between group members.

Details

name	Mantle Community Arts
Address	The Springboard Centre,Mantle Lane,Coalville,Leicestershire,LE67 3DW
phone	01530 810811
fax	01530 810231
email1	info@mantlearts.org.uk
url1	www.mantlearts.org.uk
contact	Peter Robinson, Claire Simpson

Unique Qualities

Staff: We don't think any organisation can honestly say they are unique, we are very 'user friendly' and we know everybody we work with in terms of artists we employ and very careful about whom we use. Participants know they will get not only a good artistic experience but also a good personal experience from working with the artist.

Board: Because of the way it empowers people within the arts and practices it's equal opportunities policy to the letter.

Linked: Because it's arts made fun! The workshop leaders always communicate with the participants and include everyone. Mantle also go out to the clubs rather than expect us to go there

Participant: Everyone is good and nice, I like what we do.

Details

name	New Perspectives
Address	The Abbey,Market Square,Daventry,Northamptonshire,NN11 4XG
phone	01327 701655
fax	01327 701655
email1	info@newperspectives.co.uk
url1	www.newperspectives.co.uk
contact	Richard Conlon

Unique Qualities

Staff: There is in the view of Richard Conlan a lacking of the type of organisation providing the type of arts development work in the Northamptonshire area. New Perspectives aim to engage with people to create opportunities for people to develop their art form.

Board: Already answered in another section.

Linked: Because of their theatre production experience and their enthusiasm to include disabled adults

Participant: New Perspectives is very special, because sometimes I love to do music, dance or drama and I get to do a lot different stuff. I go to college and this fits in with that.

Details

name	People Express
Address	SharpesPottery Heritage Centre and Arts Centre,West Street,Swadlincote,Derbyshire,DE11 9DG
phone	01283 552962
fax	01283 217037
minicom	01283 217037
email1	people.express@virgin.net
url1	tea-toast-technology.com
url2	www.home-maker.org.uk
contact	Beverly Parker

Unique Qualities

Staff: The organisations values make People express unique and they are reflected in its actual day to day work. For example, valuing people, listening to people, valuing what they have to say and acting on it. It is an open organisation , who work together like a family and where everyone gets valued.
People Express uncover the creativity and artistic talent of people in South Derbyshire. The work we do is unique because it is about where we are and the people who live there; the work is reflective of South Derbyshire.

Board: The committed and knowledgeable staff and highly supportive management committee. Together they work to meet their aims and clearly defined needs. People Express do not respond to every request but are more focussed. The established relationships with the artists working for them mean the artists work with commitment and excitement delivering exciting and cutting edge projects. The new training programme will provide People Express with a unique pool of trained local artsworkers and managers.

Linked: There are 2 key things:|1.They target their work at disadvantaged groups or communities.|2.Their community development approach.

Participant: People express are the only arts organisation I have really been in contact with, but we all seem to work well together. Everyone is really friendly and with their help we are now able to raise money ourselves. People Express have helped to move us on to becoming more independent and building our confidence. Our success feeds their success and visa versa, the relationship is very equal.

Details

name	QArts/Studios
Address	Arboreteum Lodge,Arboreteum Square,Derby,Derbyshire,DE3 3UA
phone	01332 299 049
email1	create@q-arts.co.uk
url1	www.q-arts.co.uk

Unique Qualities

Staff: A multi layered linked programme of work that includes participatory , professional standard gallery work and production facilities. The balance of disabled and non disabled staff provides an equality of input but also of expectation.

Board: Dynamic is a good word for QArts, its an incredibly imaginative organisation. One important thing is that it has such a lot of experienced staff, the Director and Programme Manager have so much experience in QArts and in other organisations. There is a strong body of experience which, in one organisation, is is very unique. But there is also space for new experience and ideas to come in giving scope to the organisation.
QArts has vision, they are trying to do something imaginative by running a really good gallery programme, and it tries to make links with the different strands of its work. There is a buzz about the organisation as though it is going places.
The experience of people at the top can bring about high standards of work, they have the skills and experience to do something exciting and imaginative.

Linked: Q Arts work in a genuinely consultative manner. Their work is guided by the ideas and needs of the communities or organisations they are working with;it is a genuine partnership. Focussing on accessibility and regeneration within community groups and areas Q Arts projects always result in work of a very high standard.

Participant: The atmosphere is welcoming, the people are friendly and the approach to work is very good. There is lots of support for disabled participants to run their own projects.

Participant: Being in the forefront of innovative participatory arts practice. The equality in management structure, this goes beyond the administrative base and includes their attitude towards disabled members of staff.|There is a constant process of evaluation and updating, always pushing to improve what they do. Here everyone can have their say.|The supportive structure of training that can take you from volunteer to paid work.

Details

name	UKan2
Address	The Abbey,St Johns Square,Daventry,Northamptonshire,NN11 4XG
phone	01327 701643
fax	01327 701603
contact	Carole Anne Harrington (Project Coordinator)

Unique Qualities

Staff: The organisation has been running for six years and initially it was a lone organisation offering training and development to adults with disabilities. UKan2 works specifically with adults with disabilities which makes the project unique.

Board: Unanswered

Linked: In this area it was the first group to provide activies to disabled people where they could choose their own activities. Also offers support in the participants professional development as artists

Participant: Betty explained that there were not many places she could go at all and that this suits her and her needs are met.

Details

name	Watering Seeds
Address	The Old Library,Leeming street,Mansfield,Nottinghamshire,NG18 1NG
phone	01623 635225
fax	01623 635240
email1	info@newperspectives.co.uk
url1	www.newperspectives.co.uk
contact	Cathy Leigh, Andrew Williams (01629 55903 Company coordinator)

Unique Qualities

Staff: The uniqueness is down to the individuals involved.
The company bases work on individuals and the individuals give it the unique flavour.

Board: The use of members ideas to formulate performances and the structure and running of the group.

Linked: Responds to the views and ideas of the group members, Groups direction is controlled by its members which is changing over the long term from intense support by staff to group members developing there own skills and abilities enabling them to take more control in decision making and planning of the group, through the mentoring scheme group members will eventually become paid members of staff

Participant: We feel like a team there is a bond between the group members and the Staff.