Warwickshire News Mine

‘Active8’ was set up three years ago to raise a positive profile of people with learning disabilities and to promote self confidence and self expression through art. 

Adults with learning disabilities have opened a shop in Nuneaton that works on commissioned art work as part of a project to build better links in the community.
‘Active8’ was set up three years ago to raise a positive profile of people with learning disabilities and to promote self confidence and self expression through art. 

Just recently in August 2008 the group opened its new shop, in the Hilltop area of Nuneaton. The new venue for the creative team of artists means that they can become more integrated into life in the local community.

Julie Sutch, manager of Warwickshire County Council’s Nuneaton Community Support Services, who runs the project said:
“The benefits of the project to the people involved are enormous and the work they create is fantastic. This project is based within a local community to enable the users to have a wider variety of opportunity, and we are hoping to extend the work we do from the shop soon. It is a community resource that we hope to have more available for the use of community members as well as our own group members.”

Dave Ruddock, who supports the group, explained,
“Active 8 use different materials and techniques and produce artwork as individual as the artist involved, we already have commissioned work displayed in cafes, pubs and health clinics in Nuneaton.”

Rachel Flowers who also supports the group said:
“The shop has only been open for a short period of time but lots of exciting things have been happening. Nuneaton Credit Union is based with us on Friday mornings, which brings people from the local area in, and already we have had people enquiring about volunteering.

The shop on Donnithorne Avenue is open for business 5 days a week from 9am to 4pm.

Link to WCC