Growing Together: DIY Theatre and Chatsworth Futures
Our partnership with Chatsworth Futures has been growing from strength to strength.
Chatsworth Futures is a dynamic Independent specialist college for young people aged between 19-25 with complex needs, including learning disabilities and Autism. “The College provides a small, supportive and challenging environment, which enables learners to develop their functional skills, independence, communication and employability where appropriate. Students also develop skills for living, using practical and realistic contexts to learn, develop and grow.”
At DIY Theatre, we believe in creating high-quality, accessible creative opportunities for children and young people with learning disabilities across Salford. For several years now, we’ve been working with Chatsworth Futures to do just that.
Weekly Creative Sessions
Every Thursday during term-time, DIY Lead Artist Jade Williams and DIY Gamechanger Chloe Crispin work with learners from across the college. This includes two groups of students building independence skills, and two groups preparing for employment.
This spring term, sessions explored environmental themes inspired by our Hanging by a Thread performance. From there, the work developed into creative drama, music and visual arts sessions around the theme of relationships.
Jade and Chloe supported learners in exploring feelings using the Zones of Regulation. In one session, independence learners were split into groups, each assigned a different zone. They created sensory backdrops, and then used them to make short animations with puppets and sound. Learners enjoyed collaborating to bring their “zone worlds” to life.
In the afternoon, Jade and Chloe co-led a session focused on expressing feelings through movement, sound, and group interaction. Learners created their own “feelings people” and reflected on what brings them joy. Chloe also used a feelings scale to check in with everyone and open up space for self-reflection.
Recently, we asked them what they enjoyed about these sessions and here is what they shared:
“I love seeing the learners’ faces light up when DIY arrive. Their joy when they sing the DIY song, and the energy and creative expression they give. They are always ready and willing to give everything a go and it inspires and motivates me to create sessions that keep them engaged. Most importantly, I enjoy working with Chloe and co-leading the sessions. It is an important collaboration and Chloe’s commitment and passion brings the sessions to life.” – Jade Williams
“I like working with the learners because they get very engaged. I facilitate the learners – I work with the learners at Chatsworth and we do activities. I’m good at leading the games – like Pass the Clap and Change 3 Things. The learners get really engaged. They’re participating in the sessions really well.” – Chloe Crispin
Chloe’s Journey as a Gamechanger
Chloe’s role in these sessions is part of a year-long internship with DIY Theatre Company. As well as co-planning and co-leading sessions at Chatsworth Futures, she also takes part in Friday Gamechangers, supports at Aspire and St George’s on Mondays, and helps run sessions for Emerging Leaders on Monday evenings.
In 2024, Chloe completed her Bronze Arts Award with DIY. As part of her award, she visited Salford Museum and Art Gallery and explored the work of LS Lowry. For her Arts Inspiration, she chose Will Smith and created a poster sharing fun facts about him.
Here Chloe reflected on her co-leading experience at Chatsworth Futures:
“I suggested songs we could use, which activities would be good for the learners and ideas on the props that we could use for the different activities… I enjoyed the Parachute Game and working with Jade and the Independence Group.” – Chloe Crispin
Gamechangers Emerging Leaders at Chatsworth Futures
This spring, DIY’s Emerging Leaders sessions moved to Chatsworth Futures – an exciting next step in our partnership.
Emerging Leaders is an encouraging and friendly group where leaders with lived experience of learning disability support each other to develop their facilitation and leadership skills in the arts. It’s a space for building confidence, communication and creativity through drama activities. Together the group play drama games and explore being creative in safe, fun and accessible ways.
Sessions are co-led by Gamechangers like Chloe, who help plan, facilitate, and evaluate the sessions. DIY leaders also work as a team to plan and facilitate sessions for young people at Chatsworth High School and Chatsworth futures, to support the transition of students from high school to college.
Molly Steadman is DIY Gamechangers Leadership Coordinator and she said:
DIY’s Emerging Leaders is a group for young people with a learning disability who want to build their confidence and communication and leadership skills through drama. Together we play drama games and explore being creative in safe, fun and accessible ways! Sessions are co-led by DIY leaders with lived experience of learning disability. DIY leaders work as a team to plan and facilitate sessions for young people at Chatsworth High School and Chatsworth futures, to support the transition of students from high school to college.
These sessions take place on Monday’s during term time, from 3.30pm to 5pm at Chatsworth Futures Specialist College, Off Vicarage Rd, Partington Ln, Swinton, Manchester M27 0WA
Leaders in Action!
Here are some more images that have been taken in sessions by Jade, capturing everyone having fun being creative!
