VCS Alliance – Resources & Support

There are so many fabulous online resources and support available for our families at the moment and we’ve pulled together just a few that we hope you find helpful!

Please remember to email the team at vcsalliance@durham.gov.uk  with any queries you have regarding VCS support for children, young people and families you are working with.

Tin Arts Creative Couch Project 

The Creative Couch is a project that individuals can access easily from their home and is aimed at helping individuals with their physical and mental well-being during the pandemic.  The Creative Couch is a Covid-19 Sustainability Fund Project, funded by the County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF).

One of the aims of the project is to target adults with learning disabilities or autism in County Durham who have no connection to TIN Arts and do not access our services currently.  

At TIN Arts we want as many people as possible to benefit from this project.  With this in mind we are happy to distribute information in several different ways to ensure individuals can participate fully but their privacy is also considered.  We are therefore happy to receive referrals as follows:

• Interested individuals / their families or carers to contact us themselves
• If safeguarding is an issue, individuals to contact us and info is emailed / DVD information is sent to a third party.  Information is then forwarded to named individuals who wish to participate.  To participate in the project TIN Arts requires participant initials, age and post code

Introducing…The Creative Couch Project

The Creative Couch is a FREE new project from TIN Arts, providing arts-based activities to do at home.  It runs from now until the end of June 2020.   We will send you activities to do at home.  You can do the activities at your own pace and when you want to do them.

How often will it happen?

Once a week we will send you activities through the post or by email

Who is it for?

It is for people who are 18 years old or over
You live in County Durham
You have a learning disability or autism

What does it cost?

It is FREE to participate

How do I find out more?

Get in touch with TIN Arts.  Ring Claire on 07913 901687 or email thecreativecouch@tinarts.co.uk for more information.

Live Well North East (info attached)

See attached timetable for May (this may be added to). 

We do lots of live sessions too but theses aren’t timetabled and are delivered as and when we have capacity at home.

North East Autism Society (Information attached)

We have received the exciting news this week that we have been successful in securing some funding to offer virtual support groups and information sessions during this period. Parents would need to contact us to join as placed are limited.

Please ask parents that are interested is to join our private Facebook page North East Autism Society Family Networking where we will be posting all updates.

Jack Drum Arts Classes  Currently have available online: Dance Class for Young People Mondays 11am til 12 noon on Zoom Join our weekly dance class delivered by professional dancers Alys North and Hollie-Anne Coleman A great way for young people of all ages to learn and explore a range of dance styles unique to Brazil. Participants will develop co-ordination and flexibility whilst at the same time improve technique and musicality, skills that are transferable to a range of dance genres. Suitable for young people with or without previous experience in dance and we of course actively encourage boys to take part! If you have always fancied giving it a go, but have been worried about feeling out of your depth in a workshop environment, this class is for you as its online! These classes are part funded by UK Youth and Arts Council England   Dance Class for Adults Tuesdays 6pm til 7pm on Zoom Join our weekly dance class delivered by professional dancer Lizzie Klotz This dance class is a great way for people of all ages to learn and explore a range of dance styles unique to Brazil. Participants will develop co-ordination and flexibility whilst at the same time improve technique and musicality, skills that are transferable to a range of dance genres. Suitable for people with or without previous experience in dance and we of course actively encourage both men and women to take part! If you have always fancied giving it a go, but have been worried about feeling out of your depth in a workshop environment, this class is for you as its online! These classes are funded by 3 Towns AAP Community Singing for Women & Girls Thursdays 2pm til 4pm on Zoom Join us in our new online-singing collective led by Jack Burton and Laura Roberts where you will learn basic technique, rhythm, and harmony, to sing arrangements in a range of styles and genres. No experience is necessary. Group music-making has been proven to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost the immune system. It brings communities together to reduce loneliness and isolation. It’s a great way to express your individuality and an excellent tool for mindfulness and relaxation! These classes are funded by Spirit 2012’s Carers’ Music Fund To book a place, email soundout@jackdrum.co.uk  Booking Information

For more information about any of the above courses or to book a place email info@jackdrum.co.uk