Charity CREATE uses sculpture to break down barriers surrounding disabilities

Award-winning arts charity Create is delivering More Creative – a creative arts programme bringing adults with learning difficulties and primary school children together to design and make a new sculpture – in Southwark, South East London. Its permanent home will be Southwark Park. The project is a collaboration between Create, Bede House – a local charity running key services for its immediate community – and Grange Primary School.

According to The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People’s Services, people with disabilities are less likely to take part in cultural activities and more likely to experience bullying. Research shows that 67% of the British public feel uncomfortable talking to disabled people. Create’s More Creative programme offers a chance for people with and without disabilities to collaborate on creative projects, breaking down barriers and developing shared understanding using creative arts to promote community cohesion and inclusivity.

Dashay (not her real name), participated in the project last year. She said: “I’ve made so many friends on the project; they’ve been very kind to me. I’ve laughed a lot! Working with the children has made me want to do something like this again.”

Create’s Co-Founder & Chief Executive, Nicky Goulder, said: “Participating in creative activities is a great way of improving communication skills and self-confidence, and enables people to broaden their horizons, seeing the world from another’s perspective. The inclusive nature of More Creative is enabling both schoolchildren and adults with disabilities to develop new skills and shared understanding. I can’t wait to see friendships blossom and creativity flourish; and I’m excited to see their sculpture on permanent display in Southwark Park. What could be a more wonderful way of celebrating their creativity and talent.”

Create

Create is the UK’s leading charity empowering lives through the creative arts. Our focus is on engaging the most marginalised participants in inspiring, sustainable arts programmes in areas where provision is poor and engagement in the arts is therefore low. We prioritise our work with seven participant groups: young patients; disabled children and adults; young and adult carers; schoolchildren in areas of deprivation; vulnerable older people; young and adult offenders; and marginalised children and adults. Every project helps to create a society that is fairer, more caring and more inclusive.