We want to further establish our art and crafts group which provides a safe, warm, and welcoming space where the community can engage in a wide variety of creative activities, explore various artists and art forms, at the same time building friendships with fellow community members. We want to offer British Sign Language (BSL) classes delivered by a profoundly Deaf person. Our aim is to encourage inclusivity and help break down barriers. These classes will help empower individuals to learn how to communicate through BSL, develop a new skill and give more understanding between hearing and hearing impaired individuals.

What we'll deliver:

• Deliver a programme of weekly art / craft sessions for 3 months
• Weekly Introductory BSL course for 3 months
• Gentle exercise sessions weekly for 6 months

Why it's a great idea:

We will aim for our sessions to be accessible to Deaf people, autistic and other neurodiverse people, and other people who may be described as vulnerable as well as the wider local community. Benefits of the Arts: - Tackles boredom and inactivity - Combats social isolation - Promotes positive mental health - a fun rewarding activity - new skills - Develop creativity -people feel energised Benefits of learning BSL There are currently 11m people deaf or hard of hearing in the UK. 151,000 are BSL users. BSL - is an introduction which can lead onto further learning. The benefits of learning BSL are: - Improving memory - Improving self confidence - Awareness of people with disabilities - Opens doors to potential new career opportunities Benefits of gentle fitness - can help improve heart health, - lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. - maintain a healthy weight, - reducing the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Steps to get it done:

• A BSL group to help breakdown barriers with the deaf community and people on the autistic spectrum
• Provide an art + crafts group to bring art to the community where it is inclusive to all abilities and disabilities.
• Sport/fitness classes for all abilities. Some classes tailored to less mobile to the youth to help them off the streets
• Planning and preparation for sessions
• secure venue bookings
• Marketing and Promotion of activities
• Book sessional workers to deliver programme
• Purchase any materials needed for delivery
• Deliver the sessions
• Organise an event/exhibition to celebrate successful delivery of project

Activities such as Qigong and Tai Chi have the additional benefits of: • improvement in wellbeing, • focus on mindful movement and breathing, • relaxation, • calmness, • can improve cardiovascular function, • respiratory system, • limb strength, • flexibility of the joints and enhances general balance. We have a diverse group of volunteers with various skills, experience and abilities. We have surveyed the community to assess the sorts of activities people want to do. We have been connecting with local providers to be able to match actvities provided to the wants of the community We have