Our Inclusive Workshop: Be A Star

The Courtyard has always been a welcoming environment for anyone with a love of the arts in Herefordshire, and now, thanks to Children In Need, it is becoming even more accessible. With the funding of a three-year grant, The Courtyard is able to host several inclusive events annually, allowing young people with all levels of ability to get involved, be creative, and make friends.

In August 2019, the Be A Star workshop ran from Monday to Friday, with each day focusing on a different art form. Across the five days, over a dozen young people, with varying levels of communicative, cognitive, and physical ability were able to learn about drama, dance, music, nature, film, and crafts, by getting hands-on and creating their own works of art. Each participant was also given a Discover Arts Award workbook to complete over the course of the week, which will result in them receiving the Discover award for their participation in the workshop.

On the third day of the workshop, the young people were filmed in their activities with nature and messy play, and invited to be interviewed about their experience of the workshop. This film was then shown at the end-of-workshop celebration for the participants, and their families and guardians, much to the delight of the young people who all featured in the video.
Thanks to the funding from Children In Need, and the hours of work put in by Courtyard practitioners and support staff, as well as the outside practitioners who run some of the sessions, workshops such as Be A Star will continue to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where all young people can learn and grow as they explore the arts.

The Courtyard is a place where there is something for everyone, and now, more than ever, that really does mean everyone.

Words by Lisa Taberner, Volunteer Youth Assistant