Movement & Mentoring

Disabled young people, some with complex needs, from Mae Murray Foundation will work with disabled dance facilitators and members of Luminous Soul (Open Arts’ dance company) in a series of workshops including a 5-day residency. The project will focus on mentoring and role modelling for the young people to increase their self-esteem and confidence. As a result will improve the mental health and social well-being of the participants many of whom experience issues around exclusion, isolation and stigma associated with their disability. It will positively impact on participants’ social skills as they learn to interact with others in a safe environment where they have shared experiences, which will help them make connections and friendships.

They will work to an end performance, which will be programmed as part of Bounce festival 2023 and will provide a voice for disabled young people to communicate their feelings to a wider audience and raise some much-needed awareness of the issues facing disabled people of all ages.

As part of this process the young people will also have the opportunity to achieve accreditation through Arts Awards, which are awarded through Trinity College, London.