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17 March 2010
Background
Well London is a Pan London programme targeting 20 of the most deprived boroughs within the Capital. The programme consists of 5 strands or themes: Open Spaces, Arts and Culture, Healthy Eating, Physical Fitness and Mental Well Being. These themes were used as the basis for a series of consultations with locals from the community in May 2009, 'Community Cafes' allowed residents to highlight positive and negative aspects of their living enviroment while also suggesting what type of service improvements and projects / activities they deemed would be relevant and beneficial.
BE Creative
'Community Cafes' resulted in many projects being discussed for the next three years including the setting up of a community gym, along with community allotments and dance classes for all ages. Also,Well London, in partnership with The Arts Council ,set up 'BE Creative' workshops allowing the local children to help with Acton Carnival preparations as well as take part in theatre classes designed to teach script writing, dramatic techniques and editing. This scheme involved all ages and backgrounds from the community to work together, boosting community cohesion and allowing the children to learn new skills and meet new people in a safe, fun and creative environment.
Well London Delivery Team
Along with the 'BE Creative' project, the voluntary service 'Well London Delivery Team (WLDT)', in partnership with London Sustainability Exchange, It recruited 8 local volunteers, coordinated by ACF to promote Well London within the community, staff reception at the Oaktree Community Centre and have a presence in meetings to build relationships with local service providers. The volunteer programme encouraged participants to build valuable relationships within their own community improving the flow of information to residents on the estates and to learn transferable skills which may lead to employment. If you would like to volunteer for this service please apply via our contacts page. The project is open till October 2010.
Arts Council Be Creative Be Well Project
The range of dance and creative projects that have developed as a result of this initiative has benefited the community and individual participants, and employed over 30 local artists. The Oaktree Community Centre provided a base for arts-based activities, with a broad programme delivered by skilled choreographers, artists, community and cultural organisations. People have taken part in taster sessions, and on long-term projects, developing their confidence and creative skills. Participants are from different ages, ethnicities and communities.
This Well London programme began in 2009, when 379 participated directly in sessions in:
- Dance where choreographers in widely different styles supported local people to try out different dance moves, keeping fit and having fun.
- Carnival Sculpture focusing on 3D structures.
- Costume making in readiness for Carnival.
- Photography and digital arts workshops.
- Inter-generational ‘No Excuses!’ film making.
- Arts and crafts sessions including sewing circle.
“It was a nice collaboration between local people and artists, working together to bring the vibrancy of carnival to Acton. I love the colours. We learnt from the artists, and included our own ideas.” (Adult participant)
Arts Council continued support funding in 2010 for this programme has enabled ongoing development for the arts in Acton. Projects included:
- Creative Arts
- Carnival Arts
- Community Play
“It was a great opportunity working with the kids in the area. They were very responsive to the workshops. The children and their parents were very enthusiastic working with the different materials to create the end product – which was very well received at the carnival.” Carl Gabriel, Artist.
