A Sheffield-based community forum is encouraging people to get involved after the successful launch of its new art group for adults with learning disabilities.
Parson Cross Forum is an organisation providing educational and social support to local residents.
It started the ‘Open Door Art Project’ as a way of providing a safe and tailored space for disabled people as facilities for this group lacks within the city.
Community development worker, Louise Askew, 48, from Longley, said: “We’ve run our dementia services for years, but we found that a lot of disabled people were coming to these groups as they had no alternative.
“We created this new art club so disabled people in Sheffield have a specific place they can go that’s tailored exactly to their needs and what they want.”
The group offers a range of activities from paper flower making to working with clay.
Although the art sessions are currently volunteer-led, there’s a hope in the future for the members to eventually run the club for themselves and decide which activities they want to do.
Ms Askew said: “We like to offer a new little project for our participants to work on every week and art is such a great way to relax and make everyone feel comfortable.
“But art is secondary. This group is about social connections, making new friends and reducing the loneliness disabled people all too often face.”
Parson Cross Forum has targeted the art group at those over 18 as adulthood is often the stage where those with disabilities have less support.
Centre manager, Louise Ashmore, 52, from Parson Cross, said: “We desperately need more services across the city for adults with learning disabilities.
“We find that when they turn 18 or leave education, the services available to them just disappear as they’ve lost a key support network.”
The organisation has been generously funded by the National Lottery Awards for All which hope the group will be a great benefit to the community by reducing isolation and improving mental health.
Ms Ashmore said: “It gives them something to look forward to and allows them to build new friendships which carry on outside the group.”
The Open Door Art Project runs every Thursday from 10am to 11.30am at Parson Cross Community Development Forum and attendees are encouraged to bring their carers and loved ones who are free to join in or chat amongst themselves.
The group is open to everyone and the building is fully accessible with disabled toilets and changing facilities available.
Ms Ashmore said: “Even if someone feels unsure about joining, they can come and have a chat with us beforehand and we’ll make sure they feel comfortable. They’re such a lovely bunch of people and the group really does have a family feel. So please come down and give it a go.”
To find out more or to get involved either turn up or contact Parson Cross Forum via the details on its website.
The organisation is always looking for more volunteers so anyone interested is being urged to contact the team here.
