This years community group training is a great success!

This year we decided to deliver another set of open access training, to pass on our learning to a larger number of groups. Members of 11 different community groups came along for 2 days of sharing tips, tricks and innovative ideas. We covered a lot of ground, with many
group exercises and activities, including the creation of a group skills audit, recognising and overcoming barriers to participation, and publicising your group to attract new members. The participants really enjoyed the interaction with other projects and we had a diverse range of groups, from a voluntary toddler group, an asian womens group, an inner city community garden, and a community art gallery. Many contact details were swapped for future collaborations!. "Brilliant! It was more than I expected and I have enjoyed the poster session the most", "nice to meet other folks and to think about things a bit differently", "top notch, learnt loads - we are the future" are just some of the feedback comments.
The CB project has also produced a "Community Group Survival Guide" full of advice and tips - which is available in PDF or word format for anyone who wants it. We are also working on an interactive CD-rom version! so watch this space.

BDS Art group - flyer designs.

Many thanks to Bishopstoke day services for their hospitality, and to their service users art group who spent an afternoon working with us on designs for the Curveball club flyers. Using recycled scraps on mounting card, they produced some really colourful and eyecatching designs.

Recording session for the Curveball Club

Some of the Dice group are now helping to put together a special music track to be played at the upcoming club night for adults with learning difficulties. Mark worked with the drum machine to programme some suitable rhythms, while Pam added some great vocals! We were also joined by Art House director, Bik, who kindly added some Didj for us. The dance track 'You can party' will be unveiled at the event on december the 9th!

Scrap Workshop at Eastleigh College

Last week we visted Eastleigh College, to work with their Skills for Working Life students. After meeting the group and explaining how the Scrapstore works, the students were able to rummage in several large crates of assorted scrap as part of
a Scrap Challenge model making afternoon.

This included bottle tops, plastic buttons, old foam, cardboard tubes and a whole range of unidentifiable bits and pieces. The Students thoroughly enjoyed the activity, each creating their own unique sculpture. Creations included robots, rabbits, cats, phones, and even a camera!

The whole session was recorded by the College's marketing department and is currently featured on their website with the following quote,
"Enrichment activities such as this allow students to develop their creativity, communication and confidence"

The group were also very interested in the upcoming learning disability club night that we are putting on at Eastleigh Football Club. We have already arranged a return visit on November 11th so the group can help design artwork for the event, and choose music for it.