CONFIDENCE, capacity and creativity is being built by people with disabilities each week at the Creative Community Studios in Eaglehawk.<\/p>\n
The space, which is a venture of Complex Behaviour Change, was developed by creative director Melissa Currie.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we do is we run a range of programs for people with NDIS funding around the arts,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole aim behind it really was to create a community space where people can connect as well as nurture and grow from creatively. We offer a range of programs like music, dance and arts, and even community connections as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of capacity building, so giving people the confidence to be in a space where they feel comfortable but then offer them the opportunity to do all different creative activities, to find something they really love to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe model that I developed was around making sure that the staff were professionals in the field that they were facilitating to the members.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got professional artists, musicians, cooks and dancers so they\u2019re passionate about what they\u2019re facilitating so the programs that we\u2019re running for people, the guys are really getting a full benefit out of the passion coming through from the staff because it\u2019s what they love as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Currie said the outcomes of the studio have been \u201castounding\u201d, as members develop their own confidence and connections with the wider community.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople aren\u2019t going to grow and develop and have the best lives if they\u2019re kept behind closed doors and not included in the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got people there that had nothing really much in their lives but now they come to that space and they\u2019ve got connections with each other but besides that they\u2019ve found their own little niche creatively.\u201d<\/p>\n
The studio also allows members to develop their self-expression, which Ms Currie said can be challenging, and staff support extends beyond studio walls.<\/p>\n
\u201cCreativity enhances confidence and self-expression. A lot of these people may lack ways of expressing themselves due to their disability so we can find many forms creatively for them to have an outlet,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithin doing that, you\u2019re building confidence and empowering them and once they\u2019re empowered it\u2019s giving them more of an overview of what they\u2019re capable of and what\u2019s around for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also do quite a lot of advocacy, we help people out a lot. It\u2019s not like they just come in and have a good time and go.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really support people holistically in their lives with things that are going on and we have some really strong connections, and make sure that they\u2019ve got a voice and support them through anything they\u2019re going through.<\/p>\n
\u201cCreativity is the keystone to connection, confidence and empowerment, really.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CONFIDENCE, capacity and creativity is being built by people with disabilities each week at the Creative Community Studios in Eaglehawk. The space, which is a venture of Complex Behaviour Change, was developed by creative director Melissa Currie. \u201cWhat we do is we run a range of programs for people with NDIS funding around the arts,\u201d […]<\/p>\n