London

Introduction:

These are the projects from the London region

London Projects

Animate

Shape

'Animate' was a disability, art and history project aiming to inspire and encourage disabled people, and some non-disabled people, to engage in arts and culture and to explore the living history of the Disability Arts Movement. Learners and artists took part in workshops and attended artists’ talks to explore key events and art pieces that made up the Disability Arts Movement. Artists included disabled sculptors, poets, film-makers, visual arts and sing-songsters. Each event was followed by a facilitated discussion and critical debate, giving learners a vehicle to respond to art works that look at disabled people’s identity issues. Participants also explored their own histories and contributed their own experiences to an interactive website, which formed an informal on-line learning resource. In total they engaged with over 180 learners and artists, including 156 disabled people.

Aylesbury Kaleidoscope Project

New Aylesbury Trust (known as Creation Trust)

The Kaleidoscope project encouraged people from the Aylesbury Estate to reflect on their shared memories and future hopes through oral histories, poetry, painting, cookery, music and digital media. While learning new skills and discovering other training opportunities in the area, they have produced public art, a book of reminiscences, a CD and a digital archive.

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Bhalo Ranna (Healthy Cooking) View more...

Stifford TJRS-TRA

A partnership between 13 public, private and third sector organisations provided informal learning on health and wellbeing to a group of older learners from black and minority ethnic communities. 316 women over 45 from Bangladeshi communities took part in interactive cookery sessions exploring healthy cooking and eating. The project utilised learning champions in the form of outreach workers recruited from the target communities, which proved very effective in engaging this hard-to-reach group.

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BookBite View more...

Booktrust

BookBite is a programme developed by Booktrust in partnership with WRVS and UK online centres to inspire older people aged 60 plus to engage in reading and writing activities. The project produced a magazine and a website, facilitated an online reading group and a writing club.

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Camden's Inspiration Market View more...

Camden Adult and Community Learning

Camden’s Inspiration Market used vacant shops and community centres to bring together local colleges, museums and libraries with new learners. The shared activities were aimed at inspiring and encouraging local residents to engage with the national and international resources on their doorstep, breaking down barriers and bringing the community together. The project created a 'Learning Market' in local shopping areas and social housing estates to stimulate demand for learning, culminating with showcase events at the British Museum. They also provided information about the opportunities available across the borough for learners and providers through the use of technology

Dads in Demand

The Fatherhood Institute

The Fatherhood Institute led this family learning project, which aimed to promote fathers learning with their children. Over 80 men from black and minority ethnic communities took part in digital animation skills sessions hosted by their children’s schools. They then used their new skills to create short stop motion films with their children. The programme culminated in the launch of a website for fathers, www.dadoodle.net , and a film-making group that is working with schools across the borough on how to engage fathers in education.

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Drumming Arts and Photography Alliance View more...

Tower Hamlets Centre for Mental Health

This project engaged people with mental health issues in informal adult learning as a way of promoting better health and wellbeing and improving the local IAL infrastructure. Learners took part in drumming and photography workshops, producing an exhibition of work that will be shown across the borough of Tower Hamlets. They also formed a lasting network that will continue to interface with local mental health service and education providers. The project was publicised in a newsletter that covers employment and training opportunities for people with mental health issues, which has increased its circulation as a result.

Expert Patients Informal Learning

London South Bank University

This project used a cross-sector partnership to better enable people with long term health conditions to engage in informal adult learning opportunities. Volunteers were recruited from existing Expert Patient, Expert Carer and local service user networks in Lambeth and trained and supported to become learning facilitators. These intermediaries were then located in surgeries and polyclinics and engaged 321 Lambeth residents in learning conversations, combating social isolation, economic marginalisation and health inequalities associated with long term health conditions. The project aimed to promote self-management through better understanding and increased self-confidence.

Family learning inside and out

Action for Prisoners' Families

Action for Prisoners’ Families, working with Children’s Links and NOMS/the Prison Service, produced an innovative project that aimed to improve the family life of offenders through informal learning opportunities. Staff members at four prisons were given training in play work and new equipment was provided. Family visit days at all four institutions were then revamped to offer healthy food and a wide variety of creative play activities in which adults and children could participate together. 450 adults benefited from 14 visits over the lifespan of the project and feedback was very positive, with offenders and their families all welcoming the chance to learn and play together.

In the Limelight

artsdepot

The artsdepot led this theatre project with 21 older learners aged over 55 (14 of whom had dementia) and 7 carers. Many of the learners used day centres, care settings or residential homes. The group explored reminiscence and personal history through performing arts - drama, storytelling, music and exploring classic stories including the Owl and the Pussycat and Romeo and Juliet. Learners created and performed songs, sketches and poems. Learners with dementia experienced improvements in their memories and general health and well-being. Carers developed new skills and ways of working with people with dementia. The work culminated in a theatre performance for an invited audience. The project was documented through film and a DVD has been created to promote this approach. The Alzheimer’s Society and Barnet Primary Care Trust referred learners, provided support including one to one care and transport, and offered advice and guidance on the project development and evaluation.