Building Skills with Aspire

Photo: Building Skills with Aspire

Over the past two years, DIY Theatre has been developing a very positive partnership with Aspire at St George’s, a community hub in Salford that provides support and activities for disabled people.

We’ve been running termly creative courses, including First Steps, Next Steps Drama Skills, and Performance Skills, which make a real difference for adults with learning disabilities.

These courses are part of DIY’s Creative Arts Programme funded by Salford Community Learning. They are designed to be accessible to all and focus on much more than just creative skills. They help learners build confidence, improve communication, and develop teamwork. Sessions encourage self-expression in all its forms, whether through drama, movement, or performance.

By taking part, participants not only grow creatively but also develop valuable transferable skills like self-awareness, presentation skills, and adaptability. These qualities can increase employability and open up new opportunities. Above all, the courses promote well-being, social engagement, and a sense of achievement, helping people raise their aspirations and believe in their abilities.

A smiling woman wearing glasses and a black top with patterned sleeves raises her arm during a DIY Theatre session. Chairs and colourful decorations are visible in the background.

Co-Leadership in Action

Sessions have been co-led by DIY Gamechangers Angela Chadwick and Amy Carter, who have stayed after each session to review what went well and plan for the next week. Recently, DIY member Chloe Crispin joined the team and is now co-leading activities too.

“I think the sessions are going really well. Sometimes it’s hard for people to come up with ideas, but we start off offering suggestions, and then they get into it.” – Amy, DIY Leader

“The group is focussing a lot better. We’ve done lots of focus games, and now they can concentrate for longer.” – Angela, DIY Leader

“I feel great leading at Aspire. I enjoy leading “pass the Clap” and playing different games. I’m looking forward to doing more leading at Aspire” – Chloe, DIY Leader

A young man in a light blue T-shirt and grey joggers extends his arms wide during a DIY Theatre activity. Smiling participants sit in a circle in the background.

Highlights from Autumn 2024

In Autumn last year, we ran a First Steps: Performance Skills course on Monday afternoons. Participants learned about performance through drama, movement, music, and poetry. They created a short performance inspired by The Greatest Showman.

“I’ve liked being with my friends and doing the poem – I liked it when we all said, ‘we are glorious!’” – Ellie, Aspire Participant

“I like all the games and taking turns going round in a circle. My favourite game is Change Three Things.” – Stephen, Aspire Participant

Now onto 2025

This year, we’ve continued with More First Steps: Performance Skills, helping participants build on the skills they developed last year. By the end of the course, learners will:

  • Feel more confident as performers
  • Work together as a group
  • Create theatre about identity
  • Develop their singing and musical skills
  • Create and perform their own song

This term, musician Joe Chesterman-March has joined the team to lead music and song-making sessions alongside DIY Artist Georgia Affonso. At the first music session at the start of February the group learned games like ‘Don’t clap this one back’ and sang the DIY Welcome song, which some of the group remembered from a DIY show they previously went to see!

“The song we are working on will be about all the different things that make us who we are, our favourite hobbies, food, films and more. The group are keen for it to have an upbeat feel and are coming up with actions and dance moves to go with it.” – Georgia, Session Leader

A group of four individuals participating in an inclusive creative session. Two men are seated on chairs, one wearing a cap and the other glasses, leaning forward with their hands extended. A third man is engaging in the activity while seated to their right. A woman in a wheelchair, wearing a beige sweater and pink slippers, actively participates with outstretched hands. A keyboard is visible in the background against a geometric-patterned wall. Three men in a creative session, seated and standing in front of a geometric-patterned wall. One man, wearing a black cap and jacket, sits on the left, smiling with his hands clasped. Another man, in a black T-shirt and grey trousers, sits on the right, leaning forward and smiling. A third man, wearing glasses and a navy shirt, stands behind them at a Yamaha keyboard, looking engaged. Two sheets of paper with notes are on the wooden floor in the foreground.