Mencap Launches Arts DVD At Tate Modern, UK

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Article Date: 23 Oct 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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A DVD showcasing the work of arts organisations who work with people with complex needs was launched by learning disability charity, Mencap.  The charity's Patron, HRH The Countess of Wessex, attended the launch event held at the Tate Modern.

In the Moment, sponsored by Nokia UK Ltd, focuses on the work of four organisations that provide opportunities for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities to engage in and express themselves through art  - Oily Cart (theatre), The Unlimited Company (storytelling), Project Artworks (visual arts) and Soundabout (music).

Project Art Works is an art group based in Hastings. The film shows Cherry enjoying painting. Cherry's mum, Angela, says:  "Cherry's face lights up and she becomes calm. She laughs, she enjoys it. I think she gets a chance to be herself. "

Dame Jo Williams, chief executive, Mencap, said:  "People with profound and multiple learning disabilities are rarely given the opportunity to express themselves as individuals.  We hope In the Moment inspires community artists and support workers to use art to engage and empower people with complex needs".

Andrew Hawkins, Head of Enterprise Solutions, Nokia UK Ltd, said: "Nokia UK's work with Mencap supports our belief that communications and technology can assist in creating an inclusive society. Using In the Moment to share inspirational stories from arts projects working with people with profound and multiple disabilities will help build understanding and acceptance of these groups in wider society".

In the Moment is £15 (including p&p) and can be purchased at http://www.mencap.org.uk/shop.

For more information, visit http://www.mencap.org.uk/inthemoment

In this moment

- In the Moment is a DVD produced by Mencap and Isha Films that showcases some of the most exciting practice in the arts for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities

- In the Moment costs £15 (including p&p) and can be purchased at http://www.mencap.org.uk/shop.  A booklet, produced by Mencap, accompanies the DVD.

- In the Moment features 4 organisations:

-- Project Art Works is an artist led, visual arts organization that creates opportunities with and for young people and adults who have complex needs to communicate and express themselves through making art. http://www.projectartworks.org

-- Soundabout exists to help those people who have complex disabilities develop their ability to communicate and interact with the world around them through music and sound.  http://www.soundabout.org.uk

-- Oily Cart takes theatre to children and young people in schools and venues across the UK. Challenging accepted definitions of theatre and audience, it creates innovative, multi-sensory and highly interactive productions for the very young and for young people with complex disabilities. http://www.oilycart.org.uk

-- The Unlimited Company are a group of learning disabled story-tellers working in their local communities.

Mencap

- Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.

- 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.

- Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life.

- It is not mental illness. It is not dyslexia.

- It used to be called mental handicap but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.

- People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. That's why we fight to change laws and services, and directly support thousands of people to live their lives the way they want.

- For information about learning disability issues please call the Learning Disability Helpline (England) on 0808 808 1111 or visit http://www.askmencap.info

- For online press information, go to http://www.mencap.org.uk/press

Nokia

Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks.

Community involvement is the way that Nokia and its employees interact with the surrounding community.  It includes the impact of our products on society, our volunteering activities, charitable donations, disaster relief, and the more substantial community programmes run in cooperation with leading global youth development organisations.  It also includes creating products and applications that bring significant benefits to society.  In so doing, we aim to improve the operating environment for Nokia business groups, as well as helping communities prosper.

More information about Nokia is available at http://www.nokia.co.uk.

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