The Clare Milne Trust’s inbox lit-up this morning when The End of Grant Report arrived from Far Flung Dance Theatre in Plymouth. With it came a huge selection of fabulous photographs, showing the impact of our grant support. The project created high quality arts opportunities for disabled adults in Plymouth. The diverse range of inspirational and entertaining activities were developed including performance and development opportunities to develop arts based and life skills, and the smiling faces say it all – a great success!

Inspired by the application, The Clare Milne Trust trustees were delighted to support this project and delighted to see it so well delivered.

They worked with adults 18+ with various disabilities and access needs, including Physically Disabled, Learning Disabled, Neurodivergent, Deaf people. Adults included people from the local community and also from Plymouth City College, and local services such as Pluss Plymouth and Support Your Way.

Partnering with organisations such as Diverse City, Theatre Royal, Plymouth City Council, Extraordinary Bodies gave further opportunity to the group allowing us to do more than anticipated, with access to additional workshops including a dance workshop with Kenyan dance company Pamoja Dance and a chance to see the premier of a new dance and circus performance by Pamoja Dance and Extraordinary Bodies – a disabled aerial performance collaboration. An opportunity to raise aspirations and to develop the team’s skills also.

The Theatre Royal Plymouth were particularly supportive, giving access to studio space that was free to use throughout the whole project; a gesture which made a huge difference and great to see local charities working together so supportively.

Just an extract from the fabulous Group Feedback:

‘We have had a wonderful time and they will miss their Fridays with Far Flung! I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone for your professionalism and inclusivity and ensuring that everyone had a voice and freedom to express themselves in dance. I really hope that we can come again! Your staff are AMAZING’

‘There is so much enthusiasm and fun being had in the sessions. It has been great for communication skills and engaging with others in the group. Those who are quiet at College and who are a bit more reserved have been keen to join in and are visibly excited about going to the dance sessions on Fridays. It is such a good thing to witness and see the students engaged in the activity.’

Photography – Dom Moore

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