Complex Needs Residencies - "Multi Sensory Magic"
Magical,enthusiastic, inspiring, a general feeling of wellbeing. I have enjoyed having a special time with Joshua....
Dawn Cunningham - parent.
Our “Multi-Sensory Magic” residencies are designed for children with complex needs, sometimes described as having profound and multiple learning difficulties, and their parents and carers. These residencies are typically a week or fortnight in length with 5 children and their parents attending for 2 or 3 days. The small groups along with the number of artists [we have 4 artists for a group of 5 children] allow us to tailor the workshops to the specific needs of the children and their parents.We create multi-sensory spaces, provide lots of time and gently draw people in at a pace that is comfortable for them. We seek to allow the direction of the activities to be led by the participants’ needs and likings. We see it as an integral part of the way we work that the participants are given all the time they need to engage with any of the experiences / activities.
CASE STUDY
Under The Sea - a “Multi-Sensory Magic” Residency at Loughborough Town Hall, Leicestershire.
23 July – 3 August 2007
This residency for children with complex needs and their parents was devised around the story of The Rainbow Fish. ‘There was once a rainbow fish, who had scales of many beautiful colours, some were shiny and sparkled in the water. This fish thought very highly of himself because he knew he was so beautiful. He loved to play in the water watching his scales light up the sea and shine on the rocks….”
The residency programme
We designed a number of discrete environments within the studio space to allow children to move from one place to another as they wished. The environments included:
The entrance tunnel – a magical tunnel of billowing white clouds and changing lighting effects was full of swirling mist, live music and sea weed dangling from the roof.
The rock pool and beach – lit with hot summer sun the rock pool had star fish, lobsters and shells to explore and was surrounded by sand and shells. Children dangled their feet in the cold water, wriggled their toes in the sand and relaxed with their parents in deck chairs.
The whale’s stomach – a white space with soft mats to sprawl on was entered to the sound of whales.
The octopus’ cave – where children experienced gentle massage and live music
The story / song circle – where we start and end the sessions with – you’ve guessed it – stories and songs
The wave machine – a spinning platform swathed in marine blue material.
Participants
- 22 children with complex needs
- 21 parents of the children
- 5 respite carers from the Glenfield Project
Artistic Team
- Laura Guthrie, designer, visual artist
- Christopher Davies, facilitator
- Sue Pyecroft, puppeteer, facilitator
- Bob Stafford, drama practitioner
- Debora Collister, singer/facilitator
- Glenys Xavier, actor/masseur
- Kate Rounding, musician
- Rachel Gardner, musician
- Rachael Jeffery, drama practitioner
“Laura had the time devoted entirely to her doing things she enjoyed and at her own pace in a friendly and relaxed environment. It is very rare to be able to be in, and enjoy, a complete multi-sensory environment that can enable Laura to use all her senses and be given the time and attention to fully benefit from everything. A relaxing and enjoyable experience for both child and parent.”
Julie Hollingworth – parent.
This is a unique, predictable, deeply restorative rehabilitation therapy for children and young adults with cerebral palsy, brain injury or brain abnormality recommended by parents who come to us: www.advancecentre.org.uk
