Drama is food for thought
Adults with learning disabilities who run a catering enterprise in Warwick, have been trying out as actors in a local drama production.
The group run a café and luncheon club at the Gap Community Centre, in Spinney Hill, Warwick, and are supported by Warwick and Leamington Community Support Services, part of Warwickshire County Council’s service provision for adults with learning disabilities.
Six members of the group who run ‘Fill the Gap’ Café and luncheon club, based at the Community Centre, performed a Love Story expressed through music and dance – showcased recently to an audience of 100 local residents.
Sophia McKenzie, Youth Project Worker at The Gap secured funding to put on a performance for the local community. The idea was to bring together different groups of young people, from different backgrounds, and to provide a forum where they could express themselves through dance, music and drama.
Sophia explained that the catering group provide an excellent service to local people who use The Gap and she was keen for them to get involved in the production.
“The philosophy behind all the work we do is about ‘bridging the gap’ between different members of the community, and learning to respect and appreciate each other. In working and performing together the young people learn to value and respect each other’s differences and talents.” said Sophia.
Jenny Dando, Support Worker at Leamington Community Support Services, works with the group on a regular basis. She said:
“We only had a short period of time to put together a theme for our performance and rehearse it, but everyone worked together and the performance was a great success.”
She continued:
“The group have really grown in confidence over the last few weeks. Relationships within the group have got stronger and they have encouraged and supported each other.”
Becky Seaton, one of the performers said:
“We had lots of fun working together and learning the dances, it’s been great.”
Suzanne Hotten, Deputy Manager at Warwick Community Support Services said:
“The focus of our service is to support people to integrate into their local community. People with learning disabilities are often on the receiving end of services, so it is great that they have had the opportunity to show that they also have a lot to give.”
The ‘Fill the Gap’ Café is open on Fridays and provides a luncheon club for older people on Wednesdays, they make all their own food from fresh and also provide a buffet service.