TYPE OF WORK
Participatory workshops, touring music theatre productions, nightclub events and DJ gigs by and for people with learning difficulties

TARGET GROUPS
Young people and adults with learning difficulties

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
UK, East Asia Pacific, South Asia, Western and Southern Europe

COMPANY POLICY
To offer creative opportunities for people with learning difficulties to develop skills, perform and work in the arts, and provide a social forum in nightclubs where adults and younger people can enjoy themselves and form friendships. To empower participants to explore self-expression within the context of innovative arts practice. The work is driven by practitioners with learning difficulties working alongside highly skilled arts professionals. Artforms employed include music, theatre, digital arts, dance, visual arts, plus DJ and MC practice. The company has delivered workshops on the Heart ‘n Soul methodology for working with people with learning difficulties, as well as awareness training for people working in venues.

SCALE OF PROJECTS
Number of practitioners: 4–9
Number of participants: 12–25
Preparation time: Varies
Contact time: 1–4 days

PERMANENT STAFF
Mark Williams, Director
Angela McNicholl, Finance and Administration Manager
Zoë Gilmour, Development Manager
Clare Thomas, Communications Officer
Michael Gaunt, Touring and Marketing Manager
Keith Walton, Vehicle and Maintenance Co-ordinator

Midscale Development and New Audiences Project (UK, 2001/02)
Worked in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council, Shropshire to share Heart ’n Soul’s expertise and to inspire and develop opportunities for people with learning disabilities in that area. The project had several components:

• Venue awareness training
• Introductory workshop for local learning disabled people followed by a ‘grass roots’ performance by one of Heart ’n Soul’s performing groups
• Five performers from Heart ’n Soul visited local schools (mainstream and special schools) to show some of their work, meet pupils and talk about learning difficulties and working in the arts
• School pupils went to see a Heart ’n Soul show in a local venue
• A four-day residency featuring three days of intensive music theatre workshops, DJ workshops and club design workshops, culminating in a Beautiful Octopus Club event on the fourth day. The workshops fed into every aspect of the club, giving a true sense of ownership to the participants.

This project has also successfully taken place in Leeds, Liverpool and Kent.

Proposed visit to Bahrain in 2003 (to be confirmed)
A Heart ’n Soul music tutor, drama tutor and co-tutor with a learning disability will go to Bahrain to work with a group of 15 young people with learning disabilities aged 12 to 14, from three different centres, plus two teachers from each centre. The workshops will take place over three days and will help the young people to develop skills and express themselves through music and drama. The workshops will culminate in a sharing. The workshops will also show their teachers, through participation, the Heart ’n Soul method of working. Partner: British Council. (proposed for late 2003)