Drama and Arts for people with learning disabilities

One of my volunteer roles is as a Director of the new social enterprise, Gloucestershire Voices. Well we have a new job opportunity; Drama and Arts for people with learning disabilities in the Gloucestershire area. Below comes straight from the details about the job - but closing date is 16th July.

Gloucestershire Voices is a user led self-advocacy organisation for adults with learning disabilities. The organisation was launched in December 2010.  We have 13 Directors, 11 of whom are people with learning disabilities who make all the big decisions for the organisation. We are developing an issue based drama group for people with learning disabilities and people without, working together to develop professional performances with the aim of breaking down barriers for people with learning disabilities in Gloucestershire.   

Drama Director 30 hours per week £20.000 pro rata - click read more to see more   

  Only read this if you like having fun!   

OK, so you like to have a good time…. Answer these questions and then apply for this wonderful opportunity - If you’re up to it!    Are you a creative, motivated person who is fun to be around?   Are you interested in other people and helping them develop their lives and skills?   Do you want to be involved with a high profile project that will help change people’s lives in your local community?   Do you want to work for an internationally renowned organisation?    Do you think giving people meaningful, productive lives is important? Are you tolerant and empathetic of other’s needs?  Can you use your creative skills to develop really high quality arts projects in your local community?     Can you identify opportunities and build relationships with other arts and community groups in your community?  Are you self-motivated, mature and reliable? Are you a real team player?    Do you have lots and lots and lots of energy?                                                                                         

If you are all of these things then you will be really excited about the opportunity to join our fantastic team!   Moveable Feast are an internationally respected Arts and training organisation that provide fantastic high quality opportunities for people with disabilities in genuine community settings.  Moveable Feast have developed 'Mixit days These arts spaces will be creative, exciting, fun places for people with disabilities, their siblings and friends to enjoy performing arts, develop their skills and experiences and really get involved in their local community.   

Moveable Feast has been commissioned to support Gloucestershire Voices to develop a similar project for the people of Gloucestershire. If you want to take this further send your CV to;

 gloucestershirevoices@hotmail.co.uk    this is a paper free process please use email          

We will send application forms to those people who really give us a buzz!

#####Closing Date for applications 16/07 2012######                                                

Job Purpose;

To run and further develop the Gloucestershire Voices initiative. Support people with learning disabilities to develop their performing arts skills. Create inclusive performances for the local community. Build bridges into the local community for the participants.  In accordance with agreed business plans and under the direction of the Directors.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities;

1.     Run Gloucestershire Voices initiative under the direction of the directors.

2.    Support staff, and manage staffing issues effectively.

3.    Lead on the development of a fun, thriving, creative environment for participants and staff.

4.    Lead on the creation of high quality, inclusive, performing arts pieces for presentation in the local community

5.    Keep participants and staff safe and confident in their support and surroundings and lead on safeguarding and health and safety issues.

6.    Engage with staff and participants skills and experiences and build creative projects around them.

7.    Develop links with independent arts organisations and individuals in the local community.

8.    Build bridges with the local community and engage in cooperative projects.

9.    Monitor and Report on activities and provide relevant management information.

10.  Attend training to develop relevant skills and knowledge.

Specific Job Skills and qualifications: Creative skills, arts and performance skills - essential.  Positive outlook - essential. Able to communicate well and motivate those around them - essential.  Arts qualifications - essential. Educational or training qualification – useful. Qualified to degree level - useful.

Personality: Positive outlook, fun to be around. Creative, supportive and with a clear focus on high quality activities. A natural forward planner, mature, credible, Reliable, tolerant, and determined.   Sufficiently flexible to identify and develop opportunities, able to show responsibility and accountability. A team-player. Have lots and lots of energy! – All essential.

Personal Situation: Mature outlook and be responsible - essential. Able to work extended hours on occasions when required - essential. Clean or near clean driving licence - useful. Live within easy travelling distance of work – useful. Lots and lots of energy – essential.

 Computer skills: Adept in use of MS Office 2000 or later, Excel and Word,  Access or similar database to basic level, Internet and email - essential.

Literacy and Numeracy:  Must be a competent writer of business letters –essential.

The scope and Ethos of the Company

People with learning disabilities in Gloucestershire have had very little opportunity to develop choice and control within their own lives.  Gloucestershire Voices work with groups within different community settings throughout Gloucestershire supporting people with learning disabilities to develop their skills in self-advocacy.  We aim break down the barriers that prevent people from having a voice.  One of the ways that we aim to do this is by developing an issue based drama group with support from Moveable Feast who are an internationally respected Arts and training organisation that provide fantastic high quality opportunities for people with learning disabilities in community settings.

They, along with colleagues across the country and across the world, have identified that People with Learning disabilities should have the same opportunities to a full and productive life and happiness as other citizens.

Their reputation has meant that they have been pursued by authorities up and down the country to re-create their working model of day support and activities.  Moveable Feast have developed the idea of creating ‘MiXiTdays' These arts spaces will be creative, exciting, fun places for people with learning disabilities to enjoy performing arts, develop their skills and experiences and have fuller involvement in their local community.

Successful applicants will be involved in the management and development of ‘Mixitdays’ so that the participants have productive, fun experiences and a much higher quality of life than they experience at present. The advertised role is specifically a role of supporting people with learning disabilities with their personal development in their local community. Redressing the balance of separate and poorly developed provision for people with learning disabilities which has existed in the past.

Community involvement from other arts and community based organisations or individuals will be sought and encouraged to provide strong community links and bridge building. Productions and creative projects will be developed with the skills and experiences of the participants and staff and of local arts groups or individuals and presented for and with the local community. This offers bridge building and helps break down inherent barriers to community involvement.

Janet Hawkins

Gloucestershire Voices

The Exchange

Brick Row

Stroud

GL5 1DF

Tel: 01179825549

Email:  Gloucestershirevoices@hotmail.co.uk