Impact | Adults with Learning Difficulties
Watermans works with day centres to deliver a programme
designed to improve socialisation, self- esteem and independence
for those with learning disabilities. Our range of
activities helps to encourage and empower the adults who take part
by giving them the opportunity to make friends and gain new
experiences.
QUICK LOOK PROFILE OF THE PROJECT
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NAME: Circus workshop and Animation
workshop
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CLIENT: Acton Lodge, Triangle and Community
Access
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TARGET GROUP: Adults with a Learning Disability
(for Mild to Moderate needs)
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LOCATION: Watermans Studios 1 and 2
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DATE/ TIME: Circus: November - December
2010
Animation: January - February 2011
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NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 6- 12
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AGE RANGE: 18 years plus
INTENDED OUTCOMES
Improved social integration through the enjoyment of an
activity away from an everyday environment
Circus and Animation workshops took place at Watermans venue in
Brentford which helped integrate the groups into a public building,
and provided an opportunity for adults with learning disabilities
to have a short break through visiting the centre. The enjoyment of
the participants is noted by their support workers:
"They all seem to be very happy; when we came back they
[said] 'we've enjoyed it and we want to go back and have more!'"
Selasi, Support worker
Reducing isolation of individuals through the
development of social relationships with similar
people
The mix of participants from different centres created the
opportunity of meeting new people and developing new social
relationships. These group projects required the participants to
work together to complete tasks, helping them to develop team work
and co-operation skills:
"I think one of the biggest things they have taken away from
the animation is team work. There is quite a good team work element
from the system of working in threes- one person doing one job,
with one person checking and one person taking the photograph."
Dan, Support worker
An improvement in the technical skills of individuals
through introduction to new activities
Watermans provides an innovative programme of activities that
would not normally be a part of participants' daily lives. This
provided a chance for participants to develop an entirely new skill
set:
"Mainly I think it's developing their knowledge of how to
link the different aspects in together: they are learning to view
the computer as a tool, which they then use to take a picture of
something outside of the computer. Building the link between the
two was quite challenging for them at first" Dan, Support
worker
Improved confidence and self- esteem of individuals
through completion of a successful project
"These activities help them to become more confident leading
into other activities; we definitely see it as a building block for
them to take into other things" Dan, Support worker
"Many who at the beginning seemed quiet and introverted came
out and were more full of energy/ enthusiasm by the end" Rohan
Mehra
Development of useful social/ technical
skills
Participants developed a range of social as well as practical
skills including team work, cooperation, learning to use a computer
etc. which they could use in their everyday lives.
"Kevin was using the computer some time ago and he had just
a little bit of knowledge. But now he can boldly do his cartooning,
drawing and the animation very well" Selasi, Support
worker
Improved health and general well-being through physical
activity
The physical aspect of the Circus workshop introduced
participants to an enjoyable form of exercise which they
incorporated into their weekly routine.
Watermans works with the Primary Care Trust as well as NHS
Hounslow and LB Hounslow to provide a regular programme of physical
activities.