Meet Elise: “I’ve learnt a lot about recyclable materials”
environment:matters is our project providing SEND children with access to high-quality, interactive, collaborative creative arts workshops exploring the theme of “the environment”.
During November and December 2022, SEND participants in Manchester took part in our eight-day sculpture project with Create professional visual artist, Renata Minoldo. During the project, they created sculptures made from recyclable materials and decorated them with natural dyes sourced from flowers.
We spoke to Elise (15) about her experience on the project.
“My name is Elise and I’m 15 years old. We have been doing this [Create] art project for the past two weeks. We have created sculptures out of plastic water bottles, and we’ve put bird seed into it which has turned it into a bird feeder. We also crushed up flowers using hammers and other tools so we could use it as paint. It went onto the fabric which made [the fabric] look more fun.
environment:matters artwork at the project exhibition
“I thought the theme of the environment was really nice and I’m glad we did it because the environment is very important. I’ve learnt a lot about recyclable materials, and I’ve learnt there’s different types of sculpture and you can use different materials to make them. I’ve enjoyed making the sculptures. In art class we usually just do drawing so this was very different and very cool. It made me feel very happy and very good that I got to take part in this [project], it’s very fun.
“In art class we usually just do drawing so this was very different and very cool.”
Elise, environment:matters participant
“Working with Renata has been really nice. She’s a very nice person and I enjoyed working with her. Before the project, we did some research and some drawing, sketches and designs based on work from Renata and other artists.
“Working with and making artwork with the group was very fun. We all got along and had fun while doing it. I’m looking forward to our exhibition.”
This project was supported by Society of the Holy Child Jesus CIO.
SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLCHILDREN IN HARROW UNITE FOR INSPIRING MUSIC SHOWCASE
SEND environment:matters participants perform a song they composed about the environment
On Wednesday 21 September, our environment:matters project in Harrow culminated in an inspiring musical showcase at Harrow Arts Centre.
Children from three special schools performed original pieces of music, composed and written alongside Create’s professional musicians during a project funded by The Atherton Family Charitable Trust.
environment:mattersis our project providing SEND children in London and Manchester with access to high-quality, collaborative creative arts workshops exploring the theme of “the environment”. The project uses music and other artforms to help participants understand the climate crisis, how their own actions might affect the environment, and how they can help bring about change.
“i LEARNT THAT WE SHOULD RECYCLE!”
PARTICIPANT
the power of music
This latest strand of the project took place in Harrow, with students from Alexandra School, Shaftesbury High School and Woodlands School teaming up with professional musicians Paul Griffiths, Mike Poyser and Filipe Sousa. Under expert guidance, the children wrote original songs about the environment, which they performed in a showcase at Harrow Arts Centre.
Simon Lewis, Performing Arts Lead at Shaftesbury High School, shares why creativity for children with SEN is so important.
One participant (12) from Shaftesbury High School, said: “The project made me feel happy. I enjoyed the instruments, and that everyone was in beat with the music. The environmental theme was amazing. I learnt that we should not be using plastic, and that we should recycle.”
Another participant from Alexandra School enjoyed the environmental theme too, and said: “We sang about swimming in the sea. I love the ocean. Paul [Griffiths] is such a good music maker and singer. I liked writing music. Singing makes me a little bit nervous but I feel happy!”
Create artist Paul Griffiths performing with environment:matters participants in Harrow
Many proud parents attended the final showcase, eager to see what their children had created. One mother said: “My daughter is taking part in the Create project today and I’m excited to see her perform. She loves being creative, she loves art, she loves music. Creativity helps her to imagine and it takes her to a different world, away from the pressure.”
Why is this project important?
The climate emergency affects us all, and everyone deserves to have a voice on this important topic. environment:matters ensures that SEND young people can learn about and discuss environmental issues, expressing their opinions through the creative arts.
A 2020 UNHCR General Assembly concluded that “Economically, institutionally and socially marginalised people are less resilient in the face of the adverse effects of climate change. This particularly applies to an estimated one billion persons with disabilities worldwide. They often have the least capacity to adapt to climate change, while being virtually ignored in preparation and response measures.”
SEND environment:matters participants perform a song they composed about the environment
Simon Lewis, Performing Arts Teacher at Shaftesbury High School, said: “It’s really important to inform and empower young people with special educational needs about the real issues they face as human beings in today’s world. This project has got all of our students, regardless of their levels or abilities, to think more consciously about the decisions they make and the footprint they leave.”
“This project has made our students think more consciously about the footprint they leave.”
simon lewis, community Partner
Nicky Goulder, Create Founding CEO, said: “It has been incredible to watch our inspiring participants go from strength to strength during this environment:matters project in Harrow. They have made great strides in their musical skill, confidence and awareness of environmental issues. Most importantly, though, the beaming smiles on their faces say it all. A huge congratulations to our amazing participants for putting on a spectacular show. And thank you to The Atherton Family Charitable Trust for making this vital project possible.”
